The CBB :: View topic - Tensions ~ Part 9

Tensions ~ Part 9

The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles

#401: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 8:29 pm

Her unrecognisably mangled remains' were pulled from the building, so maybe it was her, or maybe it wasn't

#402: Author: Kathryn, Location: Melbourne/Hamilton until 11 September

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:19 pm

This drabble is certainly living up to it's name!!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:28 pm

oh help I'd forgotten the earthquake -

*seriously confused as to which drabble is which at the moment after two days catching up Shocked

#404: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:28 pm

*grabs on frantically to cliff edge as world begins to spin..*
Ellie! Ellieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Get back here now. What do you mean by this? Is Nell alive? Poor Hilda! She's gonna get one heck of a shock!

Where's that blasted trampoline?!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:29 pm

You have no idea just how anxious I am to have an explanation, Ellie!

#406: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 10:52 pm

But it won't be today, my dear(s) It's a 05.00 alarm clock tomorrow, so this will be the last post of the night.

Jack turned away before Joey could see the look of anger and disgust on his face, “I think,” he forced himself to speak calmly, “That Anna would like to see for herself that you are safe and well, the poor woman has been blaming herself for your disappearance.”
“Why? What did she do?”
“Nothing, except for not coming to check on you every five minutes.”
“Was she supposed to? No? Then there’s no need for her to make a fuss is there, anyway, she’ll see that I’m all right tomorrow.” Joey replied in an offhand manner. Anna was a treasure, but Joey had long ago decided that their relationship could only work on an employer/employee footing, and nothing in the intervening years had caused her to change her mind, whilst she my very well have paid a brief visit to Anna’s sickbed, dispensing grapes and charity, she felt it was hardly appropriate for Anna to visit her.
“It might be a way of proving that your worthy of the devotion you’re always boasting about,” Jack muttered under his breath, too quietly for Joey to hear, but she was no longer thinking of Anna.
“Jack, tell me something please?”
“What’s that?” he turned to see her looking at him with an expression of anxiety, almost fear.
“Is, is Eu, you haven’t said anything about my hair.”
“The doctor said you’d had it cut. I don’t know why you didn’t get it done years ago, it suits you better short.”
“But, I thought you liked my hair long.”
“I didn’t like those ridiculous earphones, they may have been ok when you were twenty, but they’re hardly the thing for this day and age, especially when they’re shot through with grey.”
“Oh.” Joey turned away as her eyes filled with tears.
Jack felt suddenly ashamed of himself, “I’m sorry Joey, that was a cheap shot, I shouldn’t have said that. But you didn’t want to talk about your hair did you?”
“Yes. No. I though you’d be furious with me.” She whispered.
“Well, I’m not. Not about that anyway. Now if you want me to answer any questions you had better hurry up and spit them out, the nurse will be back with Gwyn, I mean Hilda, in a minute then I’ll be going.”
“So soon?”
“Joey, I’ve been awake since six o’clock yesterday morning, if I don’t leave soon, I won’t be capable of doing anything. I’m only waiting so that you and Hilda can say goodbye to one another, I don’t just grab one of the brats and take off without telling anybody where I’m going, so what did you want to know?”
Before Joey could reply the door opened again, and one of the children’s nurses walked in with child, “There you are Mr Maynard, she’s all fed and changed and ready to go aren’t you honey?”
“Pappa,” Hilda wound her arms round his neck and clumsily kissed his ear, “Us go home, Pappa, don’t like it here, Mamma won’t get up.”
“Yes, soon, say goodbye to mamma first, she can’t come home yet.”
“No, she won’t get up,”
“She can’t, she’s feeling poorly, she’ll be up again soon, now go and give her a kiss goodbye.” Jack handed her to Joey, who clung to her for long enough for Hilda to start wriggling in an effort to escape.
Jack brought an end to it by firmly taking her from Joey’s arms. “We have to go now. I’ll see you tomorrow, Joey.”
“Bye bye Hilda,” Joey blew the child a kiss, but she wasn’t looking. “Us go, Pappa, want Anna.” she whined.
“And you shall have her soon, Anna is here waiting for you.” The words he addressed to the child were affectionate enough, the glare he bestowed on Joey was anything but.

#407: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:03 pm

Hilda wants Anna more than she wants her own mum - not good!

I was basically raised by a nanny (she only just stopped working for my family - I'm the baby at 27!). But, when my parents were still very important in my life and I would still always go to them (if they were around) when I needed huggles.

#408: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:19 pm

Ellie! That wa smean! when you knew that we wanted to know about Nell!
bawling

#409: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:27 pm

I'm sure Ellie has gone to bed now with never a care in the world for us poor souls, clinging to the cliff edge!

I also notice Jo is back to her old self Mad

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

Posted: Tue Feb 10, 2004 11:28 pm

Ellie, are you trying to shock us all into early graves...I've just read that bit about Nell!!!
Tension, shock, please, have pity on us and come and explain soon.

#411: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 2:31 am

Ellie tis story has everything, shocks, tensions, Jo being her normal self.
You are a good writer.

Bumping it back to the top so you remember to tell us about Nell tomorrow Exclamation

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:44 am

*lies on the ground and wibbles at the thought of Nell still being alive*

And good for Hilda! Out of the mouths of babes! Serves Jo right!

#413: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 7:54 pm

8g* I had to read that twice before that line about out of the mouths of babes made any sense, KB!

Ellie Ellie Ellie Where are you? Come back and put us out of our misery!!!!!!
PLEEEEEEEEEEEEASE!

#414: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:00 pm

Susan wrote:

Bumping it back to the top so you remember to tell us about Nell Exclamation

That's a great idea Susan. I'm sure Ellie won't fail to remember.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:10 pm

Lisa_T wrote:

*g* I had to read that twice before that line about out of the mouths of babes made any sense, KB!

Have you got it now?

#416: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:18 pm

'Course I have! I'm not that slow on the uptake! Razz

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 8:21 pm

I just wanted to check. Crying or Very sad

#418: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:12 pm

Ellie! I'm slipping over the edge of the cliff!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:17 pm

*grabs PatMac just in time to stop her falling over the cliff*

#420: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:22 pm

*secures self to tree with rope and grabs KB as she goes falling after PatMac

*ties us all in securely as we wait for MORE STORY!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 9:25 pm

Parachutes down humungous cliff - ouch ricked my ankle!

#422: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:13 pm

As it turned out, young Hilda did not get to return home straight away. Jack had spoken truthfully to Joey when he said that he did not feel capable of doing much more, and since he would have to return to Montreux the following day to collect Joey herself from the hospital, it made sense for him to take rooms in a hotel for the night.
Thus it was that as he negotiated the streets of the city he caused a minor collision on the pavement as Phil Maynard, who was near the front of a ‘crocodile’ comprising the members of her form suddenly came to a dead stop, proclaiming “That was Minnie - someone must have stolen her, we only use her in the summer.”
Once Kathie Ferrars had sorted out the resulting melee, and delivered a few choice words on the standard of behaviour expected in public, she continued to shepherd her charges to the Musée de l'Alimentation, although she was inwardly seething with curiosity, and desperate for the opportunity to find a telephone to contact the school.

“What?” Rosalie stepped forward and snatched the diary from the man’s hand, she stood staring at the smudged writing, the colour draining from her face as she made out the individual words, “Not Helen A,” she spoke in little more than a whisper, “Not Helen A, Helena, Helena Wilson. It looks like Bill’s handwriting.

Jem, being one of the party furthest away from the school, was one of the last to hear the news that Joey and the child had been found, safe if not entirely sound. Consequently he was one of the last to arrive back at the school. Eschewing the company of his fellow searchers, he entered the school by the front door, hoping to be revived by a cup of the staff’s famed milky coffee and a snorter of brandy.
He was none too pleased to find that there was no-one to welcome him back from his exhausting endeavours. Hilda, unknown to him, as still sleeping sweetly, much against her expectations, sheer exhaustion, coupled with the strain of the last few days having finally got the better of her. Rosalie seemed to have deserted her post entirely, and those other members of staff who had joined the search party were making there way back at their own leisurely pace. Having had the benefit of a full nights sleep they were still energetic enough to decide to make the most of their remaining free time.
He wandered around the corridors, looking signs of life and called out a few times, but his shouts went unheard and unanswered by those on the uppermost floor, and Hilary, who thought she heard something above the music playing on the radio was not inclined to investigate.
“Hmmph. This is a fine state of affairs, I must say,” he muttered to himself, “he doors unlocked so that anyone could walk in, and no-one here to stop them. I’ll be talking to Hilda about this when I see her. I suppose I’d better stay here myself.” He settled himself down in Rosalie’s to wait. When no-one had turned up after ten minutes, he decided to make himself more comfortable, leaving the adjoining doors open, he wondered through into Hilda Annersley’s study where he settled down in the armchair. Before many more minutes had passed he was sleeping as soundly as that lady herself.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:23 pm

We're just as tense after that as before Ellie.

Please tell us about that woman!

#424: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:26 pm

Tomorow? Maybe.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2004 11:32 pm

Oh, hum

You are good at these cliffs aren't you? You've gained a lot of practice on this drabble.

#426: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:06 am

*mutters* Ellie c'mon and tell us what we want to know, this is nasty!
*clinging on by fingertips*

#427: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 1:03 am

These aren't cliffs: they're entire mountain ranges!

*Tries to think hopeful thoughts about Nell*
*Continues worrying about everyone else*
*Puts Nell back on worry list*
(She'd been removed, being dead and all.)

#428: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 3:21 am

Thank you Ellie - but we need more please

#429: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 4:16 am

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE get us down this cliff - safely!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 5:42 am

*Importing vast quantities of patience from abroad in hope it will allow me to cope with the tension..............Goes off to look at the ocean to help.*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:35 am

No mountains or ocean for me to look at!

*bounces impatiently* It's tomorrow, Ellie! It's tomorrow!!!

#432: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 5:47 pm

*Hopes the trampolines are in place* this is certainly living up to it's title.

More please, please, please!!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 5:48 pm

*falls off cliff*

Oops, haven't quite learnt the art of self restraint yet.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 6:15 pm

*catches Pim on the way down and goes with her to check that the trampolines are in place*

*bounces up and down on them* Wheee!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:04 pm

Boi-iong! Boi-oing! Boi-oing! Boi-oing!

*bounces up and down on the trampolines while waiting for Ellie to come back and post some more for us!!!!*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 8:22 pm

*Joins Vikki in the bouncing*

Please let it be Nell, but I hope Hilda could cope with the shock, buts its a really interesting development. Also Jack still doesn't seem that happy with Joey, I hope they will sort things out.

#437: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:11 pm

*splutters incoherently* You mean to tell me there's no more here either?!!
*goes of fume

*

Pleeeeeeease more Ellie, you've tantalised and tortured for long enough. This is on a par with Lesley and the has she-ahsn't she killed Hilda storyline! bawling

#438: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 9:43 pm

How can one story have so many twists and turns. Please post more soon Ellie, preferably not including another cliff hanger.

#439: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:43 pm

A little bit more, but there never seems to be enough hours in the day when I work from 06.00 to 14.00, it's having to go to bed so stupidly early thats the problem.......

Rosalie stepped forward and snatched away the blankets which Lesley had placed over the patient in an effort to keep the older lady warm, totally ignoring Lesley’s protests about this treatment.
Rosalie stood looking at the woman for several long seconds before she spoke.

“Mrs Maynard, are you all right?” The nurse looked down at the injured woman in some concern.
“No, I’m fine really.”
“Is it your husband that has upset you? I suggested to Dr Sebastien that he should maybe not speak to him without asking you. If there is anything troubling you, you can talk to me.”
“I don’t want to talk, thank you.” Joey replied, somewhat coldly. “Why,” she was thinking, “was she suddenly being expected to talk to all and sundry? She didn’t even know the nurse, yet she was expecting to be taken into her confidence.”
“In that case, I’m sorry I spoke.” The nurse continued to bustle around in silence, until, her tasks complete, she walked out, her head held high.
Joey watched her go with some relief, what she really wanted was to be left alone, to try to sort out the conflicting thoughts which moved sluggishly through her murky brain.
“One thing at a time, Joey, one thing at a time,” she told herself, forcing down the shard of resentment that had cut through her when Hilda had asked for Anna, as she tried to concentrate on Eugen.
She had the vague feeling that someone had told her Eugen was dead, and yet, how could they have - there was no-one in this hosital who knew him, or of her connection to him, yet the ominous feeling would not go away. It was that which she had wanted to ask Jack, yet she had hesitated, afraid of the answer, and talked about her hair instead, and then Hilda had been returned, and the moment had gone and Hilda had asked for Anna. In her place.
The tears which had fallen so easily that day welled up again, as she remembered the child’s words, and thought bitter thoughts against the maid who had wormed her way into her daughter’s affections.
“How dare she, how dare she try to tempt my daughter away from me?” She brooded, “After all I’ve done for her, she turns round and treats me like that? We’ll see how she manages in the real world, when she has to look after herself, she certainly isn’t going to be a viper in the nest in my house any more. But perhaps I should have spoken to her, maybe she could have told me about Eugen. Please God, don’t let him be dead.” She reached out instinctively for Hilda, but the child was gone, all she could do was bury her head under the covers, and cling to the pillow.

“That’s not Nell Wilson.” said Rosalie, “I don’t know who this bloody woman is, or what she’s doing with Nell’s things, but she is not Nell Wilson, get her out of here before she starts upsetting Hilda.” She turned and fled from the room, thankful only that she hadn’t allowed herself to hope, too much.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:51 pm

If it's not Nell who is it, and why did she have somehting presumably of Nells??

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:56 pm

Thank you Ellie!!!
*goes back to bouncing!*

#442: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 10:57 pm

Who is she? You got my hopes up there.

Joey doesn't improve, does she Evil or Very Mad

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

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:03 pm

Thank you Ellie.

Is the woman the nun perhaps? The one who was with Nell when she died?

#444: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:16 pm

WHO is the women?

And what will it take to turn Joey into a normal person. She has another think coming if she thinks it will be harder for Anna to live without Joey than for Joey to live without Anna.

#445: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2004 11:38 pm

*goes off howling* I did get my hopes up!! I wanted it to be Nell! bawling

#446: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:24 am

I'm sure Anna could cope 'in the real world' a lot better than Joey. And I find it ironic Joey was annoyed when the nurse tried to find out what was troubling her, considering Joey expects every new girl to pour out her troubles.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:41 am

And why is Jo clinging to Eugen in her mind? Was there more than met the eye with that relationship, or did Jo just imagine there was?

Ellie, this is great! Throwing all Jo's expectations and whatnot back into her face is fabulous.

Just one question - do you know where it's going to end?

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 12:00 pm

Oh gosh, argh! Nooo. Oh I don't know! Fantastic but argh argh! Don't quite know what to say...

*strays dangerously close to the edge of that cliff again*

#449: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 3:47 pm

Apologies to those who hoped it was Bill, but I really couldn't do that to Lesley after all the emotional energy she used to write about Hilda's reaction.
And if you really want, I can end it tonight. Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:14 pm

*suggests Ellie take an 'accurate reading' course* We never said WHEN we wanted it to end!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 5:34 pm

I wanted it to be Nell too Crying or Very sad

I can't believe Joey would think those things of Anna, I hope Anna does leave and finds some happiness outside Freudesheim ~ Joey doesn't deserve her!

#452: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:02 pm

Ellie wrote:

And if you really want, I can end it tonight. Twisted Evil

*Takes a vote, counts waving hands* Unanimous that this shall continue while Ellie has breath in her body Exclamation

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:06 pm

*threatens Ellie that, if it doesn't continue, there won't be breath left in her body for long* Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:14 pm

Poor girl! Perhaps this is the Neverending Drabble?

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:15 pm

Could we survive that sort of tension forever?

#456: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 7:58 pm

*catches breath*

Just caught up. Thank goodness I didn't have to go through the trauma of waiting to find out if it was Bill or not!

I had hope for Joey and Jack a few installments ago, but that quickly changed. I can't say I'm very impressed with Jo's attitude towards Anna. But more than anything I just feel very very sorry for her.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:44 pm

Thank you Ellie, terrible as it sounds, in this drabble I didn't want it to be Nell - purely because it would have meant all I put Hilda through, and the letter itself, were a lie - and they didn't feel like a lie!

Thanks Ellie also for PMing me. Kiss

#458: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 10:59 pm

No more?
KB, I hate to point out, but if you kill Ellie cos she won't continue then we'd still be no better off. In fact, we'd be worse off- we couldn't nag her about it!! Laughing

Which brings me to my next point...CHANT! MORE!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:14 pm

*Joins in the chant*

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

Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2004 11:45 pm

*Joins in the chant too* (a little better effort than my previous one, I'm working on the old chanting skills)

#461: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 12:08 am

Abit late tonight - sorry, I fainted clean away at the suggestion that I should continue writing this for as long as there was breath left in my body Shocked

There's not much new in this bit, just a sort of review of the situation, but it's helped me to get to the next part (which will follow tomorrow, I've still got to make sandwiches and take doggy for walkies before I go to bed)
Also, please may I take the opportunity to say that I can quite sypathise with EBD and her 'isms', (although I don't extend that generosity to her editors,) and also add that, since later events in this story have had an effect on what went before, there will be inconsistences - the one disadvantage of posting as you write.

Rosalie ran back down the stairs to her own office, her one idea being to somehow get the mysterious woman in the sick quarters removed from the school premises before Hilda Annersley found out about her very existence.
In Rosalie’s opinion, Hilda had been through far too much already during the first half of the term, since before the term even started, when they had lived through the worry of waiting for news of Bill, an then there had been the awful confirmation that all their worst fears had come true, then there had been the terrible time when Hilda had been so totally consumed by her loss and her grief that her friends had only been able to watch, helplessly, as she seemed fated to succumb to a lingering death from a broken heart.
The whole school had suffered from the aftermath, both of the loss and of Miss Annersley’s lessening of the control she had over the total microcosm that was the school. Rosalie knew that the head felt she was in some way culpable for not noticing Matey’s blithe dispensing of drugs to the girls and staff. And it wasn’t as if that mess was cleared up yet, not by a long chalk.
Rosalie knew too, that Hilda had suffered from grave concerns about allowing her charges off the premises to celebrate the half term holiday at all, even though she recognised there was no logic in her fears, and that it would be grossly unfair to the girls to curb their activities, but there was little doubt that she would not feel at ease until everyone was safely back.
Then, as if that wasn’t enough, she had had the added worry of Joey Maynard’s disappearance, the sadness of Eugen Courvosier’s death, and the strain of sitting through the night with the recently bereaved Biddy. All in all, Rosalie thought she had suffered quite enough, without the shock of finding a strange woman in the school san, in possession of Miss Wilson’s personal possessions. It never occurred to Rosalie that the mysterious visitor might be fulfilling Bill’s last wish, delivering her property to the one who who had the most rightful claim upon them.
She scambled into her office, emitting a sudden squawk as she noticed the open door leading to Hilda’s study, and the man snoring in the armchair, his legs stretched out before him.
“Jem, I’m so glad you’re here,” recognition dawned, and she rushed into the study to greet the man, “Jem, you have to help me.”

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 12:15 am

Wow, thank you Ellie. I'm so glad I stayed up now instead of having my planned early night!

Oh crikey, poor Hilda, poor Rosalie, poor everybody!

Can somebody move the cliff edge a bit further away please? My self restraint is failing miserably.

#463: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 12:17 am

thank you Ellie!

*thinks Rosalie is a bit slow not to have considered that possibility*

*retracts above statement with realisation that nobody but Hilda ever saw Nell's letter*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 12:46 am

Thank you Ellie!
Hope it's tomorrow soon and more post!

#465: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:13 am

*giggling at mental image of Rosalie as a chicken (blame Pat and Carolyn on Headmistresses)*
*hopes Hilda gets through*
*tempted to wondfer just what Ellie has against her- Bill too, for that matter!* Laughing

And MORE!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:15 am

Lisa_T wrote:

And MORE!

I had to read the entire post again before I could see it, the 'sudden squawk'. LOL.

#467: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:18 am

Tut tut! Keep up Carolyn, please! Rolling Eyes

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:19 am

I'm tired!

#469: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:25 am

Awww. I hope you sleep well when you do go! *huggles*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 1:50 am

Thank you again Ellie! Smile

#471: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:45 pm

A lovely post, Ellie, thank you.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 6:22 pm

Thank you Ellie, it's nice to have a bit of Rosalie, she always seemed to get overlooked in the books.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 14, 2004 7:34 pm

Wow, that's great, Ellie! I feel a little sorry for Jem, having a tornado like that land in on him! And how will Rosalie feel when the truth about the mysterious woman is revealed?

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 12:53 pm

Ellie, will there be some more soon? ~ Please!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:40 pm

*Echoes Ally*

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:40 pm

*joins in the echo*

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:42 pm

*Hopes the echo doesn't scare Bruno*

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 1:48 pm

All this echoing... are we up at the Auberge? lol

#479: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 6:52 pm

Thank you Ellie. It's not often we have a reason to say "Poor Jem!"

Having just caught up, I'm down at the Auberge with the others.

#480: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 9:09 pm

*joins the CBB trek to the Auberge

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:11 pm

*Rings the bell, and hears pretty fairy music*

#482: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 10:38 pm

Just caught up with this, Ellie! It's great! More please!

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

Posted: Sun Feb 15, 2004 11:54 pm

*Runs up the fence and makes a loud noise to show enthusiasm for more.*
Trumpet

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:46 am

Thank you Ellie!!
*joins the echoey chant*

#485: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:32 pm

Sorry to keep you waiting, I wrote it at work while they took the system down to patch Microsofts latest security glitch, but the e-mail didn't turn up until this morning.

Eh, what's that," Jem awoke with a start, momentarily unsure of his surroundings, and his disorientation anything but improved by Rosalies's call's of distress. "Rosalie? What's wrong old girl?" He looked at her with bafflement.
"That woman, upstairs, the one they brought back, she's got Bill's things, her diary anyway, and probably her handbag, and I'm not sure but I thought she was wearing Bill's skirt too. We've got to get her out of here, Jem, I won’t have some imposter turning up here pretending to be Bill, I won’t. That nurse of your’s is settling her into one of the beds, you’ve got to stop her, you’re a doctor, you can over rule her, make her go to the San, I won’t have Hilda finding out about this.”
Jem stared at her, open mouthed, never before had he seen the normally unflappable Rosalie in such a state of excitement. “Whoa, hold your horses old girl, and go through that again, you’re not making an awful lot of sense you know.”
“There isn’t time, we’ve got to get rid of her, before Hilda finds out.”
“Before Hilda finds out about what?”
Rosalie spun round to see the head standing in the doorway. “If you don’t want me to find out about something, it might be more sensible to refrain from shouting as much at the top of your voice.” Hilda admonished her, “And it seems to me that there has been far too much happening in this school recently that I know nothing about, so I suggest you follow Jem’s advice and go through it all again, somewhat less hysterically.”
Jem, seeing Rosalie flush unhappily under Hilda’s scrutiny, felt honour bound to speak up for the younger woman, “Don’t be too hard on her, Hilda, I think she was only trying to protect you, eh Rosalie?”
Rosalie nodded speechlessly.
“I appreciate your concern, my dear,” the hint of coldness had left Hilda’s voice, “But don’t you see? It’s partly because I didn’t know what was happening in the school that we have all these problems now. Now, make us all some coffee while I order some food from the kitchen, then you can tell me all about the latest sensation.”
Rosalie retold her tale in a greatly more subdued manner than previously as she sipped at her coffee, while Hilda and Jem shared a plate of hot buttered crumpets.
“But whatever made you think this woman was pretending to be Nell?” Hilda patted her lips with her napkin as Rosalie drew to a close. “If that was the case, this would be the last place she would choose to come, knowing as she would that we would all see through that ploy the moment we set eyes on her. I could understand one of the more hare brained middles jumping to such an assumption, but it’s not what I’ve grown to expect from you Rosalie.”
“I think you can be forgiven, under the circumstances,” Jem interjected, “After all, you must have hoped, for a moment, that Nell really had returned from the dead, so to speak, and then to have your hopes dashed like that.”
Rosalie turned pink and averted her face before Jem could read her expression, but not quickly enough to prevent Hilda from noticing the love struck expression which she was unable to control.
Hilda glanced at her sympathetically before returning to the subject of the stranger among them.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 12:59 pm

Ooh, Thank you Ellie

#487: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 1:10 pm

We might have known Hilda would catch on, but poor old Rosalie - she's grieving inside and no one knows. Crying or Very sad

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:50 pm

Thank you Ellie!!
*chants for more......*

#489: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 3:54 pm

Thanks Ellie.

Good for Hilda. Jem is actually acting decently for once Exclamation

#490: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 4:26 pm

Yey! Thanks ellie. Poor old rosalie. love the 'love-struck expression'. So, come on, who is this woman?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:32 pm

*astonished by Jem's display of common sense and decency*

But I'm so glad Hilda does know! It would have been awful for there to be yet another secret!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:35 pm

Yipee! More of this, thank you Ellie.

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 7:37 pm

Thank you Ellie - glad Hilda found out - (Still think it might be the nun)

#494: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:58 pm

Was really hoping for more, heaves a desolate sigh!

#495: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:30 pm

More please, Ellie!

#496: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:33 pm

*g* Doesn't that last bit count, Jennie? Laughing

Ellie, that was lovely. I like Hilda twigging, I like Jem being nice, I like Rosalie's love struck expression and Hilda's sympathy ...and I want to know who the woman is!!! NOT sure about the nun theory, though. Is that not part of Aside?

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 9:54 pm

Please Ellie, can we have so more!!

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

Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2004 10:38 pm

Thanks Ellie. I agree that it is much better that Hilda knows, she would have suffered much more if they had hidden it from her.

Please post more soon.

#499: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:03 am

Ellie, I see that you're lurking around C&D at the moment. Are you going to post any more lovely Tensions? Pllleaassseeee?

#500: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 12:25 am

Sorry Nicci, but I have to write it first, and I've got an awful lot of catching up to do first.....

#501: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 1:56 am

*grimly* You've no business doing anything of the kind, Ellie! Be a pet and toddle off and write some more! Please! Laughing

#502: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:00 am

But I'm so far behind Lisa,
*Wanders off mumbling 'So many drabblees, so little time'*

#503: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 2:10 am

So give it up as a bad job and focus on your own, sweetie! Laughing

#504: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 3:56 am

I've taken your advice Lisa, would you care to do the same?

Hilary placed ‘Dimsie among the Prefects’ on the floor beside her prior to standing up and stretching her muscles. The nurse had asked her to promise not to leave her room, but she had also given her permission to read the books, something which Hilary could not do unless she ventured through the connecting door to the small abode. After due consideration, she decided that in this case the words ’this room’ could safely be interpreted to mean Nurse Green’s personal quarters, and had, rather furtively crept into the other room, snatched one of the books and returned to the armchair, but after being left for so long, she was beginning to tire of staying in one place.
She was also tired of reading, she had enjoyed Dimsie, but she had no mind to begin another book, and even the radio was beginning to pall. All in all Hilary was beginning to get thoroughly bored. She was also, after all the drinks she had consumed, suffering from another problem, one which would only get more urgent as time went on.
“I know I promised to stay here,” She wriggled uncomfortably, “But she couldn’t have meant to leave me here this long, something must be very wrong. Well, I can’t help it. I’m simply going to have to go at some point, and it might as well be now as when it’s nearly too late.”
Her mind made up, she ran to the nearest bathroom, making sure that she spent as little time as possible out of the room. Even so, she heard the sound of hasty footsteps running down the stairs as she walked back along the corridor. “I might have expected this to happen,” she thought to herself, and turned reluctantly to face the wrath of her nemesis, disguised as Rosalie Dene.
Rosalie pushed passed her, white faced and silently, as if unaware of her presence.
Hilary’s first reaction was a very simple degree of satisfaction at having escaped so easily, but by the time she re-entered Nurse Green’s domain, that satisfaction had been converted to a nagging worry about the secretary’s behaviour, and the cause of it.

#505: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:55 am

*Thanks Ellie for continuing to drabble at this hour.*

Shares Hilary's & Rosalie's ambivalence -- relieved here and there, but still tense.

(Might have known that hope for Bill's resurrection would be dashed. Understandable, but still sad.)

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:59 am

It certainly would have been nice to have Bill back, wouldn't it? She might have been able to get to the bottom of things. I have to say that I'm finding Hilda a rather ineffectual character in this story, which is unusual.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:33 am

Thank you Ellie. This just gets better Very Happy

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 4:37 pm

Thank you Ellie, but I'm now feeling rather tense!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:49 pm

*hopes Ellie has caught up, and is ready to post lots more*

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 7:53 pm

*would also appreciate more of this*

#511: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:17 pm

More please, Ellie!

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:34 pm

More Please

We seem to be back at the Auberge. Did anyone bring any sandwiches?

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 9:43 pm

Thanks Ellie! (Wish I really had Dimsie anong the Prefects)

#514: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:53 pm

I'll lend you it if you want to read it Lesley, I can bring it to TG if you want.

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

Posted: Tue Feb 17, 2004 11:59 pm

*hands Ally a sandwich*

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:55 am

Ellie wrote:

I'll lend you it if you want to read it Lesley, I can bring it to TG if you want.

Yes please! Very Happy

#517: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:42 am

Joins the crowd at the Auberge bringing a large picnic basket full of goodies.

Thanks Ellie all that lovely story was wonderful.

#518: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 2:57 am

Lesley - it will be the first thing I pack.
KB - Hilda is actually finding it quite hard work being a headmistress at the moment, sorry.
All those at the Auberge - you will let me share in your goodies won't you? And let me squawk at the echo and hear it being transformed into the sweetest of tones?

Hilary picked up the discarded Dimsie book and returned it to the bookcase in the bedroom, lingering to gaze out of the window whilst she tried to put her thoughts in order. Someone, judging by Miss Dene’s appearance, was almost dead, if they had not already reached that stage.
“In the twinkling of an eye I was changed.” Hilary shivered as the words on a familiar gravestone rose unbidden in her mind. From the very first time she had read them, they had instilled in her a deep dread, a fearful awareness of how suddenly life could end. Most of the time, living her life to the full among the chatter of her friends, she had no cause to bring them to mind, but standing alone and forgotten by the window, aware that some drama was being played out on the floor above her, there was nothing to put the fetters on her morbid thoughts.
She could at least console herself with the knowledge that none of her classmates were on the Platz, despite the fact she had been at odds with them, or perhaps because of that reason, she felt she could not have borne it if anything had happened to any of the girls she had come to spend so much time with, even those she did not particularly care for.
She knew however, that several of the mistresses had remained at the school, or in the surrounding area during the short break, and it was but a short step to convincing herself that it was one of those ladies who had suffered a grievous mishap. She ran through the staff in her mind, trying to decide who, if anyone, she would rather it be, until she suddenly realised what she was doing and forced herself to stop, immediately. “It’s as if death follows me around as it is, without me nominating candidates,” She mused unhappily, “Is this perhaps to be my punishment, that people will die wherever I go, but oh, how can I live like that.” She stared bleakly out of the window, adrift in her own misery.

#519: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 3:11 am

Thanks for that bit.

*is feeling dreadfully sorry for Hilary. Wonders who else in her life has died.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:15 am

Poor Hilary - was it her father perhaps - she wouldn't speak of him to the Nurse.

#521: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:38 am

Oh poor Hilary. Hope someone reassures her soon.

#522: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 12:10 pm

No end to the tensions is there? We get the answer for one and another pops up. *thinks the beauty the Gornetz Platz might not compensate for the stress of living there.* Wink

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:23 pm

Poor Hilary.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 4:52 pm

Thanks for that bit Ellie, and of course you can share the goodies, after all you are guest of honour!

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 6:29 pm

*feels very sorry for Hilary*

#526: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 7:57 pm

*joins the picnic at the Auberge, bringing assortment of whistles and cowbells*

Thanks Ellie, its interesting to hear more about Hilary. looking forward to more - any chance of more tonight? (I have to go to work at 9.30pm *hint*) Wink

#527: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:17 pm

Thanks, Ellie! Looking forward to more when you can manage it.

#528: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 8:49 pm

“You did say this lady was cold and weak, Rosalie, not that she was ill?” Hilda asked, suddenly aware of what a case of infection could mean to the health of her charges.
“That is what I heard,” Rosalie replied, “That’s why Dr Thompson told the men to bring her here.”
“Hmmph, I hope that’s true, but from what I’ve seen of Thompson he would probably find it amusing to send an infection into the middle of the school, he’s a strange character, that one, but never mind eh? At least it’s half term and we can move her to the San with no harm done if it seems necessary.”
Hilda glared at him in exasperation but refrained from making any comment, instead she turned to her secretary again, “Do you think she will be able to talk to us, Rosalie?”
“I would doubt it, from what I saw of her earlier, but I expect that Nurse Green, or Jem could give you a more accurate opinion than I.”
“What? Yes, of course, it won’t do any harm to take a look at her I suppose.” Jem rose from his seat, an action copied by the two woman, “There’s no point in you coming too Rosalie, we don’t want to overwhelm the poor woman do we?” Privately Jem thought there was little point in Hilda accompanying him either, nothing that Rosalie had said had led him to believe that the woman was in any fit state for visitors, but he was not convinced of the wisdom of telling the head what she may or may not do in her own school.
Hilda, who had no intention of allowing him to do any such thing, made her feelings clear in the regal manner in which she swept out of the study.
Her point made, she paused to allow Jem to catch her up, “Actually I’m glad that I have the opportunity to speak to you privately, Jem.”
“There’s nothing wrong is there?” Jem asked as he surveyed her appearance, noticing anew the signs of frailness which had developed over the last few weeks.
“No, of course not,” Hilda’s reply was not wholly convincing to Jem’s ears, but he decided that it would probably do more harm than good to press the issue at the present time.
“What is it then?”
Biddy, for one thing. I’m worried about her Jem, last night she kept insisting that it was all fault that Eugen died, because she hadn’t been a good wife to him. Nonsense of course, but there was nothing I could say or do to make her think otherwise. Not only that, but she’s also now believing that Joey’s disappearance is down to her too, she’s saying if she hadn’t gone for Jack the way she did, Joey would have had no cause to take off the way she did. Do you think you could pay her a visit Jem, Hilary’s with her at the present, but she has her own family and I really don’t like the idea of Biddy being alone in her present frame of mind.”
“She didn’t seem particularly pleased to see me yesterday, but yes, I’ll call in if you think it will help, otherwise I’ll put Phil Graves onto her case, since he’s a friend of hers. I don’t know what’s brought this on though, it was all the fault of Jack in particular and the San in general yesterday. Maybe I shouldn’t have allowed her home so soon, but to be honest, she was making a bit of a nuisance of herself.”
“I doubt if you could have stopped her from going home if that was what she wanted, and as to what brought this on, I would say it’s down to Joey.”
“Hmmm.” Jem was saved from further comment as arrived at the door of the sick quarters, empty now of the men who had carried the collapsed woman to the bed.

Once inside Hilda hung back whilst Jem approached the nurse, “How is your patient Nurse Green?”
“A lot warmer, Sir, thankfully it hasn’t been too cold recently, otherwise, well I don’t think she would have the resources to fight it. She sees generally weak, and rather too thin, I doubt that she has had much to eat recently, but she is sleeping normally, her pulse is steady and she’s having no problems breathing. Would you like to see her, I would of course value your considered opinion.” Lesley had long ago learned that massaging the doctor’s egos made her own life much easier, and she kept her face perfectly straight whilst she invited the doctor to look at the patient.
Jem, visibly satisfied at receiving the respect he believed was his due approached the bed, but since he had no wish to disturb the patient he contented himself with observing the sleeping woman and gently taking hold of her wrist to feel her pulse, it was, as Nurse Green had observed, slightly weak, and the thinness of her arms caused him some concern, but essentially her underlying health seemed reasonable enough.
“I’d say she’ll need feeding up once she awakens,” He delivered his verdict, “Nothing too solid though, to start with, lots of milk and a good nourishing soup or porridge should do the trick. Don’t try to make her eat too much at once though, little and often is the best thing.”
“Yes, sir, I’ll do that.” Lesley replied blandly.
“Good, when she’s able to receive visitors miss Annersley would like to talk to her, you will keep her informed of course.”
“Of course, Sir.”
“And if there is any change in her condition call one of the doctors over from the San.” Jem paused, “Probably not Thompson, though, I gather that he rather abdicated responsibility for her earlier.
“I wouldn’t know, sir, I wasn’t there.”
“I doubt that the need will arise, anyway. Just make sure that you keep a close eye on her. Is that girl of your’s around?”
“Girl? Oh you mean Isabelle, she has gone to see some friends for the weekend, she left last night.”
“Pity, never mind, see if you can get one of the maids to sit with her for a while, there’s no need for you to be here every minute of the night, and you’ll not be much use to her tomorrow if you are.” Jem nodded and walked back to the door, gently but firmly escorting Hilda out of the room.
“Come along, Hilda, she’s sleeping at the moment, and there’s nothing to be gained by waking her, I know you’re eager to speak to her but that’s no reason for you hang around here fretting. You can speak to her tomorrow, in the meantime I’d suggest you get some more rest yourself.”
Hilda shook her head, “As tempting as that thought is, I have other duties to perform first, for one thing, I haven’t been to see Jeanne Lachenais or the other girls since I took them across to the San.”
Jem’s protestations came to nought, Hilda was not to be dissuaded from visiting Matey’s victims.

#529: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 9:19 pm

oooh, thankyou Ellie! (very nearly wrote Esmeralda then - how strange is that after all this time?!)

Glad Hilda's taking control again.
Jem is starting to annoy me again. I guess that's just par for the course though.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:43 pm

I'm so tense now I'm all knots! Who who who is the mystery patient? And what on earth is going to happen next?

Does anyone mind if I slap Jem around with a trout for a bit? Irritating man that he is...

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 10:57 pm

Knowing Jem he'd probably enjoy it.

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

Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2004 11:00 pm

Hmm... good point. *puts the trout back in the sea*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:10 am

*Trout promptly expires - fresh water fish! tongue

*

Ellie - another excellent episode - must admit Nurse Green is rather more patient than I am of doctors' egos - but then she's younger! Laughing

#534: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 12:16 am

I wonder if Nurse Green will keep up that diplomacy with doctors for long. She may be the type who suddenly lets of steam!

I'm concerned at Hilda's fragility.

I'm concerned about Biddy.

I'm concerned about Hilary.

I'm just a big bundle of concern, really.

#535: Author: Guest,

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 1:23 am

*huggles Patmac*

#536: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:12 am

Sorry this is only short - I couldn't write anymore after reading Angel's drabble.

Jem’s mention of “You’re girl” had brought Hilary back to mind, indeed for one moment Lesley had imagined that it was she to whom Jem had been referring. Casting one last glance at the mystery woman to ensure that she was still sleeping peacefully, Lesley took off her apron and hurried down the stairs to her own rooms. The small living room, dimly lit at the best of times, was in semi - darkness and she began to think that Hilary had lost patience after such a long wait and had gone to help Miss Dene after all, despite being instructed not to leave the room.
“Not that I can blame her, I have been rather an age.” the nurse mused, “I may as well collect my night clothes while I’m here, since there’s no one else to keep an eye on the woman overnight. I could throttle that Thompson, there’s no earthy reason for him to send her here instead of to the San.” She walked through to the bedroom, thinking vengeful thoughts about the young doctor, thus it was she almost missed the small figure of Hilary sitting on the floor, hugging her knees to her body staring blankly at nothing out of eyes filled with despair.

#537: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:51 am

PLEASE let Lesley help Hilary Exclamation

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:59 am

Oh poor Hilary! Want to know what happens next! Please.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:25 am

Oh, golly, poor Hilary!

And I agree that Jem deserves to be slapped around with something - I'm thinking a bit of four by two!

#540: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:32 am

Poor Hilary and pool Lesley being thrust into dealing with her problems - surely there are other mistresses back by now!

Just had a nasty thought - is this mystery woman just worn out or is she going to be contagious as Jem thought?

Inclined to agree that Jem is the worst kind of old fashioned autocratic doctor and needs the 2 x 4 treatment.

*thinks: That's an emotional cliff. Put's up a warning notice "the edge of this cliff is crumbly"*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:35 am

PatMac wrote:

Inclined to agree that Jem is the worst kind of old fashioned autocratic doctor and needs the 2 x 4 treatment.

Shall we do so together?

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:11 pm

Argh! *manages not to notice PatMac's lovely sign and is left clinging toa stray bit of ledge*

Oh for goodness sake, when will I ever learn a little self control?

#543: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:48 pm

Please may we have some more of this? Ellie?

#544: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 3:56 pm

Please, Ellie, let everyone have a treat and see Jem getting his comeuppance. He deserves it for being so pompous.

I'm still loving this, so please keep it coming.

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 5:30 pm

pim wrote:

Argh! *manages not to notice PatMac's lovely sign and is left clinging toa stray bit of ledge*

Oh for goodness sake, when will I ever learn a little self control?

*grabs Pim's wrist and waits for someone to come along with a rope*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 6:33 pm

Poor Hilary!!

Please put us out of our misery Ellie!

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 8:39 pm

*Walking innocently past when notices that KB and pim are in trouble - unfurls length of rope I just happen to have in my rucksack and managed, on the second try, to get rope over KB's head and shoulders.(First time it went just round her neck - no I wasn't tempted! Laughing

)

Pull hard, with rope around old tree stump, both KB and pim dragged away from cliff edge.

Accepts thanks, warns them not to do it again and walk off....

straight over cliff Embarassed

HELP!!!!*

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

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 10:43 pm

*chants at Ellie*

#549: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:40 pm

Please come and post some more, Ellie! We want Hilary to have some help!

#550: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2004 11:41 pm

Seems that Lesley is the one that needs the help at the moment. I think more story would do the trick and miraculously propel her back over the cliff.

#551: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:22 am

Oh, dear pim! I'll prepare some big illuminated ones with a recording in it.

*no more story so I might as well go and do that now.*

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:24 am

Thank you Pat, very much. I promise I will eventually master this art of self restraint Very Happy

#553: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:26 am

Sorry about this, but it will get happier soon, I promise.

“Hilary, Whatever’s the matter child?” Lesley almost stumbled over the small figure as she walked around the bed to pull to the curtains, and he gazed half fearfully at the girls unmoving stance, puzzled as to could possibly have caused such extreme unhappiness, “Hilary, if you don’t want to tell me that’s fine, but whatever it is, it can’t be that bad, surely?” She squatted down on the floor beside the girl and placed an arm around her shoulders, speaking to her softly.
Her tender concern served to break down Hilary’s restraint, and the tears which she had been fighting back for so long broke through the barricade she had erected and cascaded down her cheeks, but she wriggled away from the nurses grasp, “No! Don’t be kind to me, I don’t deserve it, it’s all my fault.”
“What’s all your fault?” Lesley cast a wild glance around the room, wondering if Hilary had performed some dreadful deed, but all looked in order. “What’s all your fault, dear? What do you think you’ve done?”
It was very difficult for Lesley to understand Hilary’s incoherent reply, after finally translating her sobbed and gulped words as “It’s my fault the mistresses are dead,” she decided that she couldn’t understand what the girl was saying at all.
“Hilary, stop this nonsense at once. Unless you’ve completely taken leave of your senses, you’re spouting a load of rubbish, now stop crying and go and wash your face.”
Hilary did make an heroic effort to regain control of herself, but being the kind of person who habitually contrived to contain her emotions, she found it next to impossible not to be completely and utterly overwhelmed by her feelings once that control had been vanquished. Lesley’s sharp tones had made some impression, but her attempts to calm herself lasted only for as long as it took her to glance up and see the sympathy and concern in the nurses eyes, and all Lesley’s further attempts to console the girl were totally ineffectual.
It was unfortunate that Lesley assumed she had misheard Hilary’s earlier plaintive sobs, for she failed to say the one thing that may have helped, that none of the mistresses were dead.
Lesley looked at her helplessly, and slightly impatient that Hilary was refusing to be comforted, although, truth be told, more than a little of that impatience was directed towards herself, for her own failure to make a difference.
“Hilary, please, if you don’t get a grip of yourself I’m going to have to ask Dr Russell to give you something to calm you down, and you don’t want that do you?”
“Yes. Please, Please. I can’t bear it.” Hilary’s words, were indistinct, interspersed with her plaintive sobs, yet there was little doubt about her meaning, nor the pleading expression on her face when she glanced up.
Lesley bit her lip, almost wishing she hadn’t made the suggestion, she did not, on the whole, approve of administering sedatives to school girls, except in very exceptional circumstances, and her words had been an attempt to try to shock Hilary out of the prolonged bout of weeping, and yet, maybe this was an exceptional circumstance, and Hilary herself had asked her to go ahead, if an adult in the same situation had made the same request Lesley would have had fewer qualms about acceding to it, therefore, was it fair to deny the girl the same help? Certainly nothing else had made any impression upon her, , and if she continued as she was, she really would make herself ill.
Lesley made a sudden decision, “All right, if that’s what you want, I’ll go and fetch him, OK?” She thought she saw Hilary’s head nod, but that could have been due to the violence of her tears, “Wait here then,” She added unnecessarily, before leaving her room to run downstairs, hoping that Sir James was still on the premises.

#554: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:34 am

*hoping it gets better really, really quickly since I am not sure how much more of this I can take. Not that it isn't really well written.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:24 am

More soon please Ellie. Crying or Very sad

#556: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:49 am

Poor Hilary. I feel sorry for Lesley, too. She only came down from the san to help out and she must be beginning to wonder what she let herself in for!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 11:41 am

Thank you Ellie Very Happy

*now a quivering heap of jelly on the floor*

#558: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 12:29 pm

*wonders if the quivering jelly on the floor is of the edible variety*

*goes off to find a spoon*

#559: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:11 pm

Nicci

This bit is't quite finished - ran out of time.....

Jack awoke refreshed by his nights sleep, Anna too was more like her old self, the relief of knowing that her beloved mistress and the precious Madchen were safe had restored her to her normal placidness.
Jack listened to the sound of her humming as she moved around her bedroom, thankful that he had given in to her demands to be allowed to accompany him to Montreux, and grateful for her practical common sense when she had gathered together a change of clothing not only for his daughter, but for himself and Joey too, before they had set off. Left to himself, he would have jumped into Minnie and driven off without a second thought .
“Pappa, where’s Mamma? Want to go home.” Hilda toddled over and rested her chubby little fingers on his knee.
“Later, sweetheart, we’ll fetch Mamma soon, then we can go home.”
“No.” Hilda shook her head vigorously, “We fetch her now?”
“Soon, after the doctor looks at her head.”
Hilda was silent for a few moments while she digested the information. “Thought you was doctor.” She said finally.
“Yes, but not a head doctor.”
“Want Mamma. Want to go home. Want Bruno.” Hilda screwed up her face to show her displeasure, before being distracted by the contents of the breakfast trolley which Jack had ordered from room service earlier. “Milk please?”
He poured her a drink, thankful that she was generally a happy soul who was content, mostly, to take life as it came. He was even more relieved to hear her asking for her mother. It had come as quite a shock the previous night when the child had demanded Anna, if she felt so distanced from her mother, from both her parents, that she preferred the company of the maid when she felt insecure, then they as a family, had far more problems than he had imagined.
“Is it soon, yet?” Hilda finished her milk and returned to her previous line of thought.
“Er, no, not yet.”
“How long is soon?”
“Not for a little while, not until after I’ve spoken to some people on the telephone.”
Hilda screwed up her face again, thoroughly disapproving of this delay. “You always talking to people,” she sulked.
“Maybe Anna will take you out for a walk while I’m using the telephone. Would you like that?”
“Yes, can Mamma come for walk too?”
“No sweetheart, the doctor won’t let her. You’ll be all right with Anna won’t you?”
“Yes.” Hilda wasn’t totally satisfied with the arrangements, but she was already experienced enough to know that further pleading would get her nowhere.
As if on cue, Anna emerged fro her own bedroom, with exclamations of horror at the food smeared on Hilda’s face. Jack had tried to wipe off the worst of the mess, but his efforts had not been entirely successful. The maid took the little girl away to clean her properly, happy in the knowledge that the family would never be able to cope without her help.
Had she known it, Jack was thinking exactly the same. Joey’s casual attitude to the maid had shocked him the night before, yet he had to admit that he too took Anna’s presence for granted. She had been with them almost since the first days of his and Joey’s marriage, a constant figure in the background, almost a part of the family, yet still separate from it.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:19 pm

Nice to see Jack suddenly waking up to reality about Anna Very Happy

Poor old little Hilda...

#561: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 2:51 pm

Poor Hilda

Agrees that it is nice to see Jack finally appreciate Anna.

#562: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 4:21 pm

Good to see that Jack appreciates Anna, and was shocked by Jo's attitude to her.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 5:12 pm

Are Hilda is so sweet. I'm glad to see she hasn't totally rejected her mother.

Also glad that Jack has some respect for Anna

#564: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:07 pm

Ally wrote:

Hilda is so sweet. I'm glad to see she hasn't totally rejected her mother.

oops. I saw Ally's post before reading the post from Ellie, and started wondering if we now had to add Hilda Annersley's mother into the equation Embarassed

*significantly relieved that we don't*

Thanks Ellie. Its good to see Jack waking up to Anna's presence.

#565: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 6:29 pm

I think if I was Jack, I's just scram off home without Jo! It's nice to see him notice Anna but it does seem a little late!

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 7:00 pm

Thank you Ellie!
*hoping for more soon*

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:00 pm

Ellie, this is awesome! I'm glad Jack is slowly coming around to things.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:24 pm

Nicci wrote:

*wonders if the quivering jelly on the floor is of the edible variety*

*goes off to find a spoon*

Nicci nooooooooooooo! Don't eat me... well I wouldn't advise it anyway I don't think I'd taste that good even as jelly! lol Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:28 pm

*quickly collects Pim in a bowl before Nicci can get started*

#570: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:33 pm

That was lovely, Ellie!

Any chance we could see Miss Annersley's famous skills for comforting unhappy girls and getting to the bottom of their problems? Or is that asking for too much?

#571: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:57 pm

KB wrote:

*quickly collects Pim in a bowl before Nicci can get started*

thinks that KB is stealing the jelly for herself* Wink

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 8:58 pm

Anybody got any ice cream? Laughing

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:13 pm

*cries very loudly*

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:26 pm

No don't do that pim - you'll make the jelly all watery!

Lovely post Ellie - little Hilda is sweet.

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:27 pm

Lesley wrote:

No don't do that pim - you'll make the jelly all watery!

B-b-b-but I don't want to be eaten funnily enough... Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:30 pm

*huggles Pim*

#577: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 9:33 pm

*moans at vikki for getting jelly all over her*

such a waste of good jelly... Sad

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

Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:21 pm

pim wrote:

Lesley wrote:

No don't do that pim - you'll make the jelly all watery!

B-b-b-but I don't want to be eaten funnily enough... Very Happy

Why on earth not?

#579: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:03 am

Why is it so suprising that pim doesn't want to be eaten KB? Though jelly does sound tempting. I like jelly. Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:26 am

*flees for the hills screaming in abject terror* Oops, can't do that, just remembered I'm a pile of jelly. Argh! *reisgns self to fate*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 1:34 am

*rescues Pim, and attempts to de-jellify her!!*

#582: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:48 am

*Obtains Pim shaped mould for Vikki to pour the jelly into.*

One thing he was certain of was that Anna, with help from her co-adjuctor Rosli, was the glue which held the long family together. Help was not east to find on the Platz, and the school and San together absorbed most of those seeking to do such work, but even if there had been a queue of people clamouring to take Anna’s place, it was unlikely that they would have found anyone who would go so far beyond their normal duties, yet Anna had never demanded extra payment, or extra time off in lieu. Quite the contrary in fact, the only reward she seemed to seek was to be allowed to continue to serve them, despite the fact that she received precious little thanks. He had frequently heard Joey commentating on the quality of Anna’s baking when she received guests, but thinking about it, he had never once heard her say anything of the sort to Anna herself, although he couldn’t honestly say that Joey had not offered her such praise when he was not around.
It occurred to him that he owed her something for her quiet support over the last couple of days, despite her own misery she had been a solid lump of comfort, keeping vigil by the telephone throughout the night and much of the day, remembering to pack clothes and the other necessities for Hilda and Joey, and she had willingly offered to entertain Hilda after they returned from the hospital, allowing Jack the opportunity to catch up on his sleep even though she had scarcely had more rest than he.
Perhaps, he thought, he could make some gesture, flowers maybe, then again, maybe not. There was the possibility that Anna could interpret such a gift in the wrong way, he had no illusions about himself as an object of romantic attraction, but their was every possibility that she would be highly suspicious if the man of her house suddenly began bestowing gifts upon her, especially as she not be totally unaware that relations between Joey and himself were rather cool at the present time. On reflection, it might be better to express his gratitude verbally.
“Anna, may I just say something?”
Anna beamed with pleasure as Jack thanked her in a few brief but heartfelt sentences, the only thing which would increase her happiness would be to hear the sentiments expressed by her beloved mistress.

#583: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:56 am

Good for Jack!
Love the way he uses "solid lump of comfort" phrase.

#584: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:29 am

Wonderful story. Poor Jack, hoe he sorts things out with Jo. Goood old Anna. Hope they give her a good bonus when they get themselves sorted out.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 9:58 am

How very good of Jack, although it was really no more than Anna deserved!

#586: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:35 am

More please, Ellie! What's happening to Hilary?

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 10:48 am

*joins in Catherine's inadvertent chant*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 12:27 pm

I just want to huggle both Anna and Jack right now, err...

*joins in chanting*

*NOT a quivering lump of jelly this time!*

#589: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 2:02 pm

Poor Anna, I'm not sure if Joey will ever express te sentiments Anna wishes to hear. But at least Jack has realised her true worth.

#590: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 3:08 pm

I doubt if Jo knows that Anna even exists apart from her function as a servant.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:26 pm

Isn't Jack a darling! Very Happy

Good for him, lets hope Joey will say the same too in the future.

#592: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:34 pm

What? No more jelly? *sulks*

Thanks Ellie. It was nice to see Jack actually doing something about the mess.

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 6:38 pm

Nope, no more jelly. You got enough yesterday Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:05 pm

But Nicci didn't get any, pim!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:12 pm

Any excuse... pfffffft Very Happy

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:17 pm

Well, of course! Now hold still!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:18 pm

*wriggles free and runs for the hills screaming in abject terror... oh wait there aren't any hills near here... runs up the cliff instead*

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:24 pm

*watches pim scream as she flies over and rappels down to find the jelly on the rocks*

Oooooh!

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:53 pm

Err... I fell off the bit that went straight into the sea...

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

Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2004 8:59 pm