The CBB :: View topic - Tensions ~ Part 9

Tensions ~ Part 9

The CBB -> Cookies & Drabbles

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

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:54 am

*Blows a hunting horn*

#802: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:56 pm

Ellie, Ellie, Ellie. Where are youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu?

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

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 1:59 pm

*enters with bloodhounds*

#804: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 6:09 pm

Hopes Ellie is feeling lots better and will be posting soon.

#805: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:20 pm

Ellie was on msn thisafternoon! she'd been for a walk on the beach earlier, so she must be feeling better!
*runs and hides after dropping Ellie in it*

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

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 8:27 pm

Ellie!!! Hope you're feeling better - please, please, please post more story!

#807: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:45 pm

yes, please post more Ellie!

#808: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:50 pm

Ellie, your devoted drabble readers are calling for you!

#809: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:52 pm

With their own particular brand of devotion, mark you. Nags, threats, and hidden weapons- and that's just Jennie! Shocked

But I would really really appreciate some more...*decides to try politeness*

#810: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:53 pm

Lisa, you flatter me! I haven't been so flattered since one of my pupils called me a wicked devious woman.

#811: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:55 pm

LOL! What did you do to inspire that stately compliment, Jennie? ROFL

#812: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 9:57 pm

I was her Housemistress, she wouldn't polish her shoes, and generally went round looking scruffy. So I took the right shoe from each of her pairs of shoes and polished them. That left her to polish all the left shoes, which she did, with many expressions of bitterness.

#813: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:00 pm

*g* I agree with her. That was both wicked and devious- but so effective!!!
*deeply grateful that Jennie was never my Housemistress*

But then, I was so good that you wouldn't have needed to take such measures! *smirk*

#814: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:29 pm

Lisa, when I'm in my Housemistress mood, I can find fault with anyone.

#815: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:31 pm

Any chance you could let us know when you are, Jennie so we can run off and hide somewhere until it passes? Wink

#816: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:39 pm

Nope! Learn by experience!

#817: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 10:42 pm

Uh huh. Well, CAtherine, what better opportunity do you want to practice that dirty teacher's look.,...oh, wait a minute. Jennie's a teacher too and she's MUCH more experienced than we are..
I vote we build a Jennie proof bunker!!!

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

Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2004 11:24 pm

There seems to be a lot of yibbling and not much drabbling...

#819: Author: Guest,

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:08 am

Ok - you've all succeeded in making me feel extremely guilty so her's a very little bit to be going on with

“Would you like another Brownie, Miss Annersley, I mean Hilda? Or some more Teddy Bear cake?”
“No thank you, dear, I really couldn’t eat another crumb.” Hilda looked down at Vikki’s anxious expression, “I must say, you are an excellent cook, even Karen or Joey’s Anna would have their work cut out to bake better cakes than these.”
“Oh, thank you , Miss Annersley.” Vikki with flushed with pleasure at hearing the head’s verdict on her afternoon’s labours.
They were interrupted by a tap on the door, and the staff baby hastily put down the plate she was carrying and rushed to open it.
“There is a visitor for Miss Annersley.” Miggi, one of the schools more longstanding domestic staff anounced. Vikki turned to relay the news, but Hilda had heard the message, indeed she had been expecting it. She glanced at the clock on the mantlepiece with an inward smile of satisfaction.
“I’ll be along right away, Miggi, if you could show him into the study.” She turned back to the room, “Thank you once again, Vikki. Now that we know you can bake like that we’ll be pressing you to produce plenty of cakes for the sale of course.”

“Him?” Vikki pondered out loud after Hilda had made her departure, “Surely she hasn’t taken up with a man at this late stage of life.”
Her thoughtless words were met with howls of derision, from the rest of the staff who were of the opinion that nothing, and no man, would come between Hilda and her life’s work, and one member of that august body took it upon herself to point out that it was hardly the done thing to make such vulgar comments about the head, leaving Vikki feeling extremely subdued,.until one kind soul tactfully changed the subject.

#820: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:14 am

trust vikki! Wink

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:21 am

*giggles* oh Vikki!!!!

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:27 am

Ellie, wonderful

#823: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:32 am

LOLOLOLOLOLOL! Priceless, Ellie. Almost Dr Venables territory!

*settling down to await Vikki's advent and reaction*

#824: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 12:37 am

Ellie that was a good bit. Glad you got the teddy bear cake in, at least Hilda did not attack it with a scalpel.

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:18 am

Thank you Ellie!!! ROFL

Him - Jem??

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:30 am

*frowns at Ellie.........*

More please! (just not featuring me!!)

#827: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 4:29 am

So I just caught up the whole drabble (no I didn't go to bed as I said I woukd) and I'm pretty much a wreck. What is it with all the cliffhangers in C&D. Never mind. I just wish I had a slice of that cake about now... and some more drabble, please Ellie, pretty please...

#828: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 10:04 am

The problem is that we thrive on cliff-hangers. What else would we have to chant about?

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 11:10 am

Vikki wrote:

More please! (just not featuring me!!)

More please, Ellie, and featuring Vikki!

#830: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 1:11 pm

*seconds both parts of KB's request*

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

Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2004 2:47 pm

Fabulous, Thank you, now we just need a little more!!

#832: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 12:35 am

Poor Vikki! Don't you like being in drabbles then? That's a shame, isn't it?! Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 4:37 am

*rapidly developing the idea that Vikki is about to stare in a number of other drabbles*

#834: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 2:52 pm

She's been in mine for ages!

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

Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2004 10:42 pm

Oh, good!

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

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 2:10 am

*sharpens the poking stick.....*

#837: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:03 am

No poking until I have finished the story. The campers could still revolt and make you eat things. Or the 'mystery figure could get you Rolling Eyes

#838: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 3:41 am

Is Vikki starring or staring?

MORE ELLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like soon. Laughing

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

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 4:03 am

*suggests that maybe Ellie would like to write in KB? or Lisa?* Wink

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

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 7:30 am

If I get written it, Vikki has to have had something nasty happen to her first!

#841: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 12:41 pm

I've been away for a couple of days, and there's no more story. Crying or Very sad

#842: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 5:54 pm

So have I, and I'm just as eager for more of this.

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

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:15 pm

Maybe Ellie's away, too...?

#844: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:27 pm

Well she wasn't last night. There was a whole bunch of us yibbling on msn then until after 3am!!

#845: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 10:51 pm

Now, Lisa has right royally dropped Ellie in it, I vote we chant -

More soon, please!

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

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:03 pm

Excellent! *joins in chant*

#847: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2004 11:18 pm

Ellie! Do your duty here please?!! Laughing

#848: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:27 am

Pretty please Ellie

#849: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:38 am

PLEASE WRITE US SOME NICE NEW STORY, PLEASE!!!

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

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 9:53 am

Oh, Ellie, is there still no more? Crying or Very sad

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

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 2:46 pm

Please may we have some more Very Happy

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

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 3:19 pm

More please Ellie!!!

#853: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Fri Mar 19, 2004 7:49 pm

*creeping to the back of the chanty mob and joining in*

#854: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:06 am

I'm sorry - I've been writing something else, but that's finished now, and I'm not back at work until Tuesday so I promise I'll get back to this over the weekend - honest.

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:10 am

*whispers to Ellie to include certain people.....* Wink

#856: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 2:30 am

And who might that be again Vikki?

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 6:41 am

No doubt Vikki means more of herself, but is too shy to say it out loud.

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 1:45 pm

Still no more? *cries*

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 3:22 pm

It's definitely the weekend now Ellie!

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:05 pm

Come on Ellie, lets have more please!

#861: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:10 pm

At least we have a promise to have more soon.

#862: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 5:25 pm

Soon, soon? I want more now!

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

Posted: Sat Mar 20, 2004 6:27 pm

Me too!!!

#864: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:14 am

Thanks for your forebearance (I don't think patience is quite the right word)
I hope you think this was worth the wait, btw Carolyn, it did grow.

Jem stood up as Hilda walked into the study. “Ah , Hilda, you don’t mind me dropping in on you like this I hope?”
“Not at all,” Hilda replied sweetly, “Provided you have a valid reason for being here.”
Jem, who had been basking in a false sense of relief after Hilda’s first words, spluttered indignantly as she completed her sentence, “Now look here,” he began, “I hardly think…” He broke off with a wry smile, “All right Hilda, you win. You know why I’m here , I daresay you were expecting me.”
“Not quite so soon, “ Hilda looked at the clock, I expected you to be at least another five minutes.”
Jem chortled, “It’s not easy to get the better of you is it? I would think your pupils are relieved you’ve been otherwise engaged this term.” He paused to sip at the coffe which Miggi had thoughtfully provided, when he spoke again the levity had gone from his voice, “Seriously, Hilda, I know that Madge and I have let you down somewhat, we have had weeks to do something about the situation and we’ve just sat on it. Partly comes from not being on the spot I suppose, and then, you did have Con helping you out., I suppose we thought that made it all right. But there’s little point in me sitting here apologising all night, that isn’t going to remedy the situation. The thing is to decide what we are going to do now.”
Hilda allowed herself to give a sigh of exasperation, “You know what I want Jem,”
“But seriously, you can’t expect us to find two new mistresses within five days. It would be difficult enough in an ordinary school, but next to impossible for the Chalet School, and even if we could find someone at such short notice, I’m not sure that it would be a good idea. It hasn’t worked in the past, remember.”
“Prevaricating again Jem?” Hilda asked acerbically. “I did not ask you to provide me with two members of staff within five days, I asked you to take steps to recruit two new mistresses within that time. I’m as dubious about appointing in haste as anyone, although having said that, it is difficult to imagine what harm a new mistress could do within half a term. This isn’t a situation where you would be asking someone to take charge of the whole school, as when Miss Bubb was drafted in after my accident. As for Con, I rather think you have taken advantage of her good nature. She stepped in to help us out of trouble but she never wanted to teach, you know, although she has made a fine job of it, and she would have been more than grateful to be able to relinquish her duties to someone who actually wanted the position. As it is, I would hardly blame her if she decided against returning.”
Jem had the grace to look abashed, realising that he was guilty as charged. He remembered the evening when Joey had rung her sister to tell her that Con had volunteered to step into the breach. “That’s one problem solved for the immediate future,” Madge had said, “Con is well steeped in Chalet traditions and values, we can rely on her not to let us down, and she’ll keep the younger girls well up to the mark I should imagine, and it’s an opportunity for her to step out of Len’s shadow.”
Jem had grunted his agreement, and then completely put the matter out of his mind.
A sudden thought struck him, “I say, we have been paying her haven’t we?”
“Yes, Jem, that’s another matter that I saw to myself. I did write to inform you and Madge that I had put her on the payroll. Now, tell me, do you intend to advertise for the new staff, or is that another thing you would prefer to delegate to me? In either case, I insist on having the final say on who I hire, and the terms of their contract.”
“I’m quite happy for you to go ahead and advertise, if that’s what you would prefer, or maybe you would like to work out the wording and leave the actual submitting of the advert to me, or Madge of course. Or Madge could write it out if you would rather, I doubt that it would be much good me trying to compose anything which would likely to attract the right type of person, or anyone at all for that matter. I don’t know that much about the day to day activities of the school. You do realise of course, that this has to go before the board, but that will be a formality, no-one will have any objections. I’ll have to squeeze in a meeting while I’m in England next week. I shall be coming back on Friday, as you know, to speak to the McCartin girl’s parents. Hopefully the ball should be rolling by then. I wondered..” he paused, not sure how welcome his next words would be, “I wondered if you would be prepared to accept one of the younger mistresses from Carnbach, just for the short term, of course, provided any of them would be interested. I know they wouldn’t be your staff as such, and you wouldn’t have chosen them, but I thought it might provide you with some temporary cover.”
“Actually Jem, I think that’s rather a good idea. As you say, they wouldn’t be ‘my staff’ but they should at least already be imbued with Chalet School ideas, and it would only be for a short time. Yes, I will accept someone from Carnbach, provided they have the right subjects of course, and if, as you say, anyone is willing to come over here. I can’t help thinking that if any of the staff wished to teach at the Swiss branch, they would have applied to come here in the first place.”
“Maybe, but there is a difference between teaching in Switzerland for a few weeks and teaching here all the time. I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a positive horde of people clamouring for a few weeks over here.”
“Let’s hope you’re right. As I said, I wouldn’t be surprised if Con decides not to come back, and I’ve no idea when Jeanne will be able to resume her duties.”
“Before not too many days have passed, I would say. All the patients are well on schedule for recovery, and since they weren’t taking the drug voluntarily, there’s little chance of them having any cravings for it. Even Jenny McCartin is getting along fine now.”
“That’s something to be thankful for. I still find it hard to believe that such a thing could happen right under my nose so to speak, without me being in the slightest bit aware of it.”
“And as I said before, there’s no reason why you should have suspected anything. No-one could have predicted that Gwyneth would do such a thing. You trusted her, and you had every reason to do so, she had been one of the most valued staff for a good number of years. Anyway, what has happened has happened, and no amount of talking about it after the fact is going to make any difference. Now, who is going to take responsibility for these advertisements? And do you feel they should be advertised just in the English press, or on the Continent too? We do have rather more foreign pupils than mistresses.”
“Yes, I did notice that you were advertising the position in the San in the German papers.” Hilda mused, “I was quite surprised actually, after I got over being annoyed. We usually tend to draw our staff from England.”
“That was Phil Grave’s idea, but it’s something we should have considered before now. We can’t afford to be so insular, really.”
“No.” Hilda looked thoughtful, the school did have a few non British members of staff, indeed, Jeanne de Lachenais was one of them, but they were mostly confined to teaching languages, yet, there was no reason why a French woman, or German woman couldn’t teach other subjects, provided they were trilingual, and there was probably more chance of finding a suitable person who fulfilled that particular criteria on the continent than in England. “I can’t think why no-one ever thought of it before either. I’ll take care of the advertising, Jem, and I’ll make sure that it’s placed in all the major European papers, as well as the English ones, if that meets with your approval of course.”
“Certainly, as I said, it will have to go before the board, but I think I can safely say that it will okay to begin to put the wheels in motion. Now that’s sorted, then, I’ll be getting off. I f I don’t see you before I go, I’ll see you on Friday.”
“Very well, good night Jem.”
“Just one thing, what would you have done if I had accepted your resignation?”
Hilda smiled enigmatically, “Oh, I would have just brought forward my retirement plans I suppose.”
“Hmmm, but I daresay you knew there was no chance of that.” Jem grinned, as he left the study.
Hilda grimaced, not for anything would she have revealed the sudden doubts that had assailed her prior to Vikki’s tea party.

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

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:35 am

Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie!Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie! Thank you Ellie!

So good to see Hilda back in charge!!!! Kiss

#866: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:45 am

Thanks Ellie! That bit was great!

#867: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:53 am

*jonining in with the thank you chant* marvellous marvellous marvellous!!
Now can we have lots and lots more please? *hopeful*

#868: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 2:52 am

Thank you Ellie!

Nice to see Hilda taking charge and running rings around Jem!

#869: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 3:50 am

Hooray for Ellie! Hooray for Hilda!

#870: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 3:53 am

Thank you Ellie glad to see Hilda back to normal.

#871: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 4:26 am

So glad that Jem is finally being reasonable. Not that Hilda gave him much choice Twisted Evil

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

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 7:23 am

Oh, it's good to see more of this story again! And I love the way Hilda always has an answer for Jem! Nell would have approved.

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

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:31 pm

Thank you muchly muchly muchly muchly muchly Ellie Very Happy

Good for Hilda! poke

Jem

#874: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 3:05 pm

Thank you, Ellie. It was good to see Jem having to do a little crawling.

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

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:09 pm

Oooh! Thank you Ellie!!
*gazes hopefully once more....*

#876: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:18 pm

*Joins Vikki gazing hopefully into the future and envisaging more.*

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

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:23 pm

That was great Ellie.

So pleased to see Hilda in charge and putting Jemi n his place

#878: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:54 pm

Thanks, Ellie! Very happy there's more of this.

More soon please!

#879: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:51 am

I really enjoyed that post Ellie. Its great to see Hilda in charge again, but I loved the last line about Hilda's doubts. Aww, I just wanna put Hilda in a box.

#880: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:28 am

The day had passed slowly for Hilary, after Miss Annersley had settled her in her own bed to sleep off the after effects of the storm of emotions she had displayed the previous day, she had been left pretty much to her own devices.
She had taken full advantage of the opportunity to go out into the grounds, seeing it as a chance to explore her immediate surroundings, but before long she began to tire of mooching around on her own, furthermore, although the sun shone brightly, there was a definite chill in the air.
For want of anything more interesting to do, she returned to school, where she curled up on the old squashy sofa in the fifth form common room with her library book.
Gwendoline Courtney’s tales of the Verney family, their play acting, their new stepmother and her illustrious brother held her enthralled for a while, but she was not so absorbed that she failed to hear the cheerful voices of the staff returning from their morning services. The staff, for their part, had no idea that Hilary was within earshot, and the manner in which they joked with one another came as a revelation to that young lady, who had hitherto presumed that they always acted as prim and properly as they did when they were on duty.
The obvious companionship displayed by the staff made her feel the loneliness of her own position more acutely, and although she tried to carry on reading, the spell had been broken. Eventually she put the book to one side and sat back to think over her situation.
She was much relieved, overjoyed even, to hear that Jenny was not going to die, and she knew that her form mates would share in that happiness, but she wondered if it would really make any difference to their attitude to her.
Maybe, she thought slightly bitterly, if someone had told them that Jenny was not at death’s door, matters would never have got so out of hand, but since the main cause, or at least the initial cause, of the split with her friends had been her insistence that Cora was not solely to blame for Jenny being admitted to the San, and since nothing which had happened since had caused her to change her mind on that point, she doubted that anything would change, although Flaurette at least had shown signs of softening her attitude. Hilary though, did not hold out much hope for any further overtures from her friend. Flaurette may have shown an astonishing amount of determination when it came to her lessons, but Hilary recognised that the smaller girl did not possess the strength of character to stand out from the majority.
In fact, she would have been surprised had she known what had been going through Flaurette’s mind on that last morning before the body of the school departed for their allotted destinations, and how much further she had got with her thinking since then.
“Oh well, I suppose Cora will still talk to me,” Hilary thought, “Although I’m beginning to wish I’d never had anything to do with her in the first place. Still, since I did decide to take her up, I can hardly drop her now just because it’s inconvenient. I wish she would try to understand other people better though.”
Having exhausted the topic of her class mates, Hilary returned to her book, finding it easier to concentrate once again. She was interrupted once more before she reached the final chapter, when Hilda Annersley, fresh from her visit to Jem, came into the common room in search of her pupil. “Here you are, are you feeling better today?”
“Yes, thank you Miss Annersley,” Hilary recited dutifully, feeling that her headmistress seemed a little distrait.
“Good, good, well I’ll see you later. Don’t forget to go along to the kitchen for your Kaffe und Kuchen.”
“Miss Annersley?” Hilary plucked up courage to ask a question.
“Yes?”
“You went to the San didn’t you? Everything is all right there isn’t it?”
Hilda raised her eyebrows slightly, she was not accustomed to having her movements scrutinised by er pupils, but mindful of what had troubled this particular girl she answered her evenly.
“No, nothing is wrong. I had to visit on another matter entirely. Jenny is still recovering well. Now stop worrying and run along to see Karen, she doesn’t like to be kept waiting, even if it is half term.”
Hilary took this as the dismissal it was intended to be and hastened along to the kitchen.
Karen had not gone to much trouble with Kuchen, she frankly felt that half term should be a break for herself and her staff as well as for the girls, and she didn’t appreciate having to turn to and provide for one errant pupil. Nevertheless, she was kind hearted enough not to show her feelings to the girl herself, although she didn’t go out of her way to offer her an effusive welcome either.
Even so, the meal provided a welcome interval in Hilary’s dull day. After she had finished her Kaffe she went upstairs and knocked on the nurses door, hopeful that that lady would be available for a chat, but she was destined to be disappointed since her tentative knock went unheeded. She was not sure enough of the nurse to attempt to visit her in the sick quarters, so she turned away and retraced her steps down the stairs, feeling slightly disgruntled.
Her mood was not lifted by the sounds of merriment which emanated from the staff room, and she felt a momentary twinge at being excluded from the fun, until she reminded herself that she really wouldn’t feel comfortable being in a room full of staff, and that the staff would hardly be so unrestrained were she among them.
She returned to the common room for a short time, but could find nothing to interest her, all in all she was more than happy when the time for abendessen came around. Once again she found herself eating in the kitchen, whilst the staff ate in their own room, it being pointless to heat the speisassal for so few people.
This time Karen did not see Hilary as so much of a nuisance, she had to cook for the staff so one meal more or less made no difference, and she was willing to talk with her for a few moments, but Hilary was wise enough to see that she was preventing the domestic staff from clearing up and she did not linger over her meal. Once she had finished eating she decided that she may as well retire to the dormitory, and she slipped into her bed with a feeling of relief that the long day had drawn to a close, “Although I don’t suppose I was left behind to enjoy myself,” she thought, as she lay her head on the pillow.

#881: Author: Chelsea, Location: Your Imagination

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 3:48 am

*feeling very sorry for Hilary.

Thanks for that bit Ellie.

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

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 7:37 am

Goodness, poor Hilary! It seems a little harsh that she should have to suffer so much - but then no one in this story seems to get an easy ride!

#883: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:51 am

Poor Hilary. I don't think they should ignore her quite so much.

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

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:20 am

Glad this is back! (and good to see the Verneys get a mention too Smile

)

#885: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 12:57 pm

I admit I'm surprised they ignored Hilary so much.

#886: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 1:37 pm

*stands up, gives a big stretch*

Finally, I managed to read all of this (thanks for e-mailing the beginning Ellie) in about three days. What an excellent book (its the only word for it).

I didn't know whether to laugh or cry most of the time. I could shake Jo though. I'm feeling very sorry for Jack, if Joey hadn't fooled around with Roger they wouldn't be in half the mess they are in.

More please.

Last edited by Mandy on Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:47 am; edited 1 time in total

#887: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:32 pm

oh poor Hilary. Where's Lesley?

#888: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 8:50 pm

Ellie, please don't leave it there.

#889: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:08 pm

Just a little bit, I'll finish it off tomorrow.

It had grown dark before the Maynards arrived back at Freudesheim. They had stopped a couple of times, mainly for the benefit of little Hilda. That young lady had had a wonderful time, not only was she with both her Mamma and Pappa and Anna, she had been given ice cream and a delicious orange drink. And her favourite doll had been waiting for her inside ‘Minnie.’ All in all, she felt that that life was good, and since Mamma and Anna had been falling over one another to give her all the attention she wanted, she was certain they would come to the nursery and play with her when they reached home.
Joey had other ideas. “Poor little mite,” she remarked as she watched her baby clamber up the steps to the door, “She’s tired out. I’ll go and bath her and put her to bed.”
Anna raised her eyebrows slightly, in her experience Joey only ever bathed her babies when she had either her daughters or a party of girls from the school to help, or look on admiringly, but she made no comment, instead taking this as her cue to disappear into the domestic regions of the house.
As she began to busy herself with her pots and pans she became aware that Jack had followed her. “Don’t bother to begin cooking Anna, we can make do with sandwiches, and a pot of coffee, then you should take yourself off to bed, you’ve plenty to catch up on.”
Anna demurred, but it was only a token protest, she really was feeling very tired, and it seemed good to her to follow Jack’s instructions.
When Joey returned from putting a most reluctant and unco-operative Hilda to bed she returned downstairs and looked at the plate of sandwiches distastefully, “Sandwiches? Whatever is Anna thinking of?” She marched off to the kitchen, but by then, Anna had climbed up the back stairs and was safely ensconced in her own room.
“Sit down Joey,I told Anna to make a few sandwiches before taking the rest of the night off, she was up all night manning the phone when we were searching for you and Hilda.”
“Searching?”
“Yes, Joey, we had search parties out all over the Platz. No one had a clue where you had disappeared to, or what had happened to you.”
“Oh,” Joey digested this information, “Well, I’m sorry, but I didn’t ask to be attacked by a madman with a mania for prams.”

#890: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:22 pm

Looking forward to the rest tomorrow!

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

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:38 pm

*also looking forward to the rest tomorrow*

*flops down on a beanbag to wait*

#892: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:43 pm

*pulls up another bean bag and produces chocolate to share*

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

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2004 11:52 pm

Does that mean it will be finished?

#894: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 12:35 am

IS tomorrow going to be the end Ellie?

Nice of Joey to realise they'd have been worried about her [/sarcasm]

#895: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:31 am

oh, I hope it isn't finished yet Ellie! Sad

#896: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:28 am

And there are still so many loose ends!

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

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:55 am

*imagines a mastery story-teller like Ellie could wrap it all up neatly with a big bow*

#898: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 1:55 pm

Hoping Ellie just means she'll finish that part, rather than the whole story.

#899: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 2:41 pm

'big bow'? Don't you mean a big bang? That's so much more convenient. None of those nasty loose ends you mention! Laughing

Not that I'm asking for it, Ellie. There's still so many things I want to know. Only I can't remember any of 'em at the moment.
*goes off to get some brunch*

#900: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:50 pm

I'm SURE Ellie didn't mean the end of the story. I hope not, anyway.

*Notes that Jo hasn't improved.*

#901: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:01 pm

Thanks for the compliment KB, but I did mean that I would finish that little segment - did I cause some confusion?

“But you decided to go to Montreux without telling anyone where you were going, or how long you were likely to be, if we’d known that we wouldn’t have had to waste our time looking for you here, wondering if we’d find the pair of you at the nottom of a crevice.”
“Perhaps I did leave a note.”
“Do you think we didn’t look?”
“Well, I’m sorry, I told you that yesterday.”
“It’s easy enough to be sorry now, it’s a bit you didn’t have a bit more consideration earlier. I can’t think why you thought it was acceptable to keep Gw, Hilda out in the cold and damp. What do you think would have happened to her if you hadn’t been found so quickly?”
“Don’t Jack. I don’t want to think about it.”
“If anything had happened to that child, it would have been you fault.”
“That’s unfair, Jack. I didn’t ask to be attacked.”
“You had no reason to be there at all. If you’d just acted with a bit of common sense for once and stayed at home where you belong none of this need have happened.”
Joey stood up, “If you were being as beastly as this before I went, there’s little wonder that I decided to go away.”
“Where are you going now?”
“To my study. Or do I need to ask your permission?”
“It’s a bit late for that now, isn’t it? Do what you like, Joey. You usually do anyway.”

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

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:05 pm

Oh crumbs... *gets the beanbag out again*

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

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:35 pm

Thank you Ellie!

*Wanted to smack Joey on the head - then remembered that someone else had already done that and it hadn't made any difference!*

Got a little worried about an earlier post asking me to help Hilary - then remembered I'm in the story! Very Happy

#904: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 10:12 pm

*pats Lesley on the head*
Shouldn't you be over in Surfeit my dear? Wink

Ellie, I loved Jo's line about not expecting to get attacked by a madman with a mania for prams. Classic.

I take it from Jo's later comment about Jack being beastly that she's still suffering from amnesia?

#905: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:16 pm

Yes, Nicci, she's still a bit hay about all the details....

Hilda Annersley was a little disconcerted to discover that Hilary was no where to be found, later that evening. Aware that the the irl had been left to her own devices for rather too long that day, she had intended inviting her for hot chocolate in biscuits in the study before bedtime, with the objective of arranging a rather more interesting time for her the following day, as far as circumstances would allow.
When she discovered the girl was not in her common room she wasn’t too worried, nor when found the library empty, although she had hoped to find her pupil relatively quickly so as to spend some time with Emile Rouen.
When a visit to the form room, and the other common rooms proved equally unrewarding, and when Lesley Green informed her that she had neither seen Hilary all nor spent more than a few scant moments in her own room, she began to feel a little more concerned.
Lesley willingly gave Miss Annersley permission to check her own room to see if the missing girl was there, although the head agreed with the nurses own opinion that it was unlikely that Hilary would attempt to enter her private domain if she was not present.
That Lesley also refrained from repeating her earlier thoughts on the matter was something that Hilda was grateful for, especially since she was beginning to share those concerns.
Her worries were heightened when none of the other mistresses recalled seeing Hilary at all that day, although as they said, they had spent most of their time in the dommy sci rooms or the staff room.
It was only after talking to Karen and discovering that Hilary had eaten her abendessen in the kitchen that her worries receded slightly.
She returned to the staff room, wishing that she had some slightly more senior members of staff at the school. “I’m sorry, I know that this is your free time, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to turn to and have a search through the school for Hilary Francis. I’m getting a little concerned as to her whereabouts, and obviously this school is far to big for one person to search alone.”
“That child is being a perfect pest this holiday,” someone murmered rather unfairly, in a low tone. Unuckily not low enough to avoid detection by Miss Annersley’s keen ears.
“I hardly think, Miriam, that her presence has made one iota of difference to your own activities, up until now.” That was all she said, but it was enough. The unfortunate Miriam subsided, red faced and flustered.
“You don’t think, she could have run away?” Vikki asked nervously. She was closer to her own schooldays than her companions, and having not been lucky enough to attend a school which placed as much emphasis on the happiness of it’s pupils as the Chalet School sought to do, her own thoughts had turned in that direction on more than one occasion.
Hilda frowned slightly, leaving Vikki to wish she had held her tongue, but the truth was that the head frown was caused by her discomfort at hearing her own thoughts put into words. Seeing that the staff baby looked a little uncomfortable, she hastened to give her a quick smile. “I think it’s unlikely, she has had all day in which to do so, if that was her intention. I can’t imagine her waiting until it got dark.”
“Unless she thought she would have more chance of escaping detection.”
Hilda swung round to see who had spoken, but whoever it was had taken note of the fate that had befallen Miriam and the head saw nothing but a very prim and proper looking body of mistresses. “We can only hope that that proves not to be the case, but if she can’t be found, then we will have no option but to ask Gaudentz to organise another search party, though what the men will say is more than I can guess. It’s only two days since they were out looking for Joey Maynard. Anyway, sitting here discussing matters isn‘t getting us anywhere, I suggest we begin hunting. And one more thing, I don‘t want the child to be so, neglected tomorrow, I know this is your holiday too, but if one or two of you could spare a little time to spend with her tomorrow, it would be much appreciated, but that is purely a voluntary matter.”

#906: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2004 11:40 pm

Thanks Ellie, that was two great posts.

#907: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:50 am

Thanks for the posts Ellie. I hope they find her soon.

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

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 7:14 am

*feels that Hilda might be taking a little of her stress out on the other mistresses*

Golly, I hope she hasn't run away! But might she be going to the San to see how her friend is?

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

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:28 am

Thanks Ellie!

*Hope Hilary is found quickly.*

#910: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 9:50 am

But she's in bed, isn't she?!

*confused*

#911: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:04 am

I thought she was in bed too. ZZZZ

#912: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 10:52 am

Maybe they haven't thought to look there.

#913: Author: keren,

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 12:49 pm

we have a 4 roomed flat, (and 5 children) and have been known not to find a child, and to forget to look in their bed Smile

#914: Author: Sarah_K, Location: St Albans

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:49 pm

Way back our next door neighbours called the police out to try and find their son only to discover he'd fallen asleep in his brother's bed instead of his own and as he is deaf he hadn't noticed all the noise and panic- very scary it was too till they found him.

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

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:55 pm

Thank you Ellie Very Happy

Loving the descriptions of Vikki as the staff baby

#916: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:18 pm

Please can you send Hilda on a nice holiday Ellie. I think she needs a break!

#917: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 1:21 pm

I think a holiday is the last thing she'd admit to wanting. She'll be happy when everything in the school is sorted. Smile

#918: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:04 pm

Yay for Ellie, that was great. Our longest-running drabble, and still not at an end. Lots more, I hope.

#919: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 6:19 pm

More please, Ellie!

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

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2004 7:49 pm

Joins in the chant Very Happy

#921: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 2:26 pm

No more drabble yet, sobs heartbrokenly.

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

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 4:17 pm

*trys to comfort Jennie*

#923: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 7:10 pm

I'm still in catching up mode so, to me those 2 great parts were new but like all the others here, I'd still like more!

#924: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:17 pm

OK, now Patmac has caught up I can add a little bit more Wink

Hilda, as she began to recheck the rooms she had searched earlier, wondered if she could really have misjudged Hilarys's character . She would, had she been asked, have staked her last farthing on the fact that Hilary would not attempt to run away. Now she was beginning to worry that her confidence had been misplaced.
She shivered slightly as another thought occurred to her, even if Hilary was still on the school premises, it did not mean that she had to be inside the building. . And there had been enough cases of subsidence in the grounds in the past to give her a another cause for anxiety.
But she was not left to fret about this possibility for long, the sound of hasty footsteps alerted her to the fact that some news was forthcoming, and she walked out into the corridor, with mingled feelings of hope and trepidation, to discover exactly what that news was.
Rosalind Yolland’s smiling face told her that earlier faith in Hilary had been justified, and that no ill fortune had accidentally befallen the child.
“You’ve found her?”
“Yes. I half remembered one of Joey Maynard’s stories, about a girl leaving a note in her cubey. Was it Joey herself, or did some other girl do that? Anyway, I thought I would go and check. There wasn’t a note of course, something much better, Hilary herself tucked up in bed and sleeping the sleep of the just.”
“In bed?” Hilda looked startled, “Well, I must say, it never occurred to me to look for her there.”
“And there’s no reason why you should have. Whoever heard of a normal healthy girl going to bed before they had to. Believe me, there are more than a few grumbles among the girls about the early hours we keep.”
“That hadn’t escaped my notice,” Hilda countered swiftly, “The poor child must have been bored rigid. I really must devise a plan to keep her occupied tomorrow.”
“I was thinking of attempting a water colour of St Cecile, I can take Hilary with me. She’s quite keen on art, it’s just a pity that she isn’t very good at it.”
“Oh, I’ve seen worse attempts,” Hilda smiled, “Though I have to admit that your predecessor would find her rather trying. But it’s very good of you to make the offer Rosalind. I hope she appreciates it, I rather think she will. Anyway, I’m sure you want to return to your own affairs, thank you very much for your help. I had better go and track down the rest of your colleagues and tell them they may stop searching.” She smiled warmly at the younger woman, hoping in some way to make up for her earlier scratchy mood.

#925: Author: Caroline OSullivan, Location: Reading, Berkshire, UK

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:22 pm

Thanks Ellie. Relieved that they found Hilary quickly.

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

Posted: Fri Mar 26, 2004 11:23 pm

thank you Ellie! (except for my role..... Rolling Eyes

) More please!

#927: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 12:25 am

I'm glad Hilda's trying to make amends for being grumpy! Rosalind is a perfect darrling (as Jane Carew might put it).

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

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:02 am

Thanks for that Ellie!

#929: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:41 am

Thanks, Ellie! More please!

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

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:44 am

Thank you Ellie, I'm glad Hiliary has been found safe and well

#931: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:17 pm

So glad you noted that I had caught up, Ellie! Poor Hilary is having a rough time and I hope the staff are a little more attentive to her when she wakes up.

#932: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2004 1:21 pm

Thank you, Ellie, lovely long post. Looking forward to more.

#933: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 1:51 am

This is another one I have caught up on. Thank for all those posts Ellie.

Glad Hilary is safe, Why on earth didn't the staff think to check on her sooner?

Waiting for more soon please.

#934: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2004 6:29 am

Enjoying the Hilda-staff interactions, and amused at the furor over Hilary-actually-in-bed. (sensible girl!)

#935: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 1:51 am

Both Miss Annersley and Rosalind Yolland were as good as their word, and Monday proved to be a much more interesting day for Hilary. She spent the greater part of the morning applying paint to paper, with results which were described as “unique” by the art mistress. Later, after the mistress had treated her to mittagessan at a small pension, Hilary returned to school to learn that she was to be allowed to visit Jennie in the San.
Nurse Green was no longer needed by the nun who had so dramatically turned up at the school two days previously, indeed that lady had recovered enough to be allowed out of bed and she had accepted an invitation to afternoon tea with Hilda Annersley in the study, thus it was that Hilary and the nurse finally made their belated trip to the san. “And don’t think you’ve got away with helping me bring my last few boxes back,” Lesley told her, “Nor with sorting them out after tea.”
Hilary grinned, taking more notice of the twinkle in the nurses eye than her words. As she was ushered into the ward to see Jenny, she suddenly found herself feeling unaccountably shy, but her school friend soon put her at her ease.
“Hilary, how lovely to see you, I’ve been getting so bored since I started to feel better. I know Mummy and Daddy are here, and they’re a pair of sweeties, but it is nice to see someone my own age.”
Hello Jenny, you look much better than last time I saw you, I was afraid you’d still be all ghostly white and big eyed.”
Jenny laughed at this description, “Ghostly white indeed, I’m not ready to become a phantom yet. I feel better than I’ve felt for weeks. I’m coming to school on Friday you know, but Mummy and Daddy want to take me home with them, to make sure I’m all right.” She paused, a slight frown appearing on her countenance, “They did say something about sending me to a school in England, so that they can be closer to hand, but they won’t if I have any say in the matter. After all, it’s not every school that has a doctor conveniently to hand to catch you when you feel dizzy, as I shall point out to them.”
“Oh, Jenny, I do hope you don’t have to leave the Chalet.” Hilary looked at her with a stricken expression.
“Well, as I said, I won’t if I have anything to do with it, now stop looking like a week of wet Monday’s and tell me all the latest. How’s Stella, and Flaurette, and Jane and all the rest of them?”
Somehow Hilary managed to answer Jennie’s questions and describe her class mate’s activities without mentioning the rift between herself and the rest of the form. She achieved this by elaborating and exaggerating all the funniest moments of the previous week, though these moments had been few and far between, and by describing in some depth the most difficult lessons which they had been subjected to. Her tale sounded almost convincing even to her own ears, and left Jenny giggling helplessly at some points, and groaning in sympathy at others.
“So what are they doing while you have the pleasure of my company?” Jenny asked, “Wait a minute though, isn’t it half term?”
Hilary nodded.
“So what happened to the excursions? Have they been cancelled? No, they couldn’t have been because Mummy said that no-one would be able to come and see me as they’d all gone away. So how come you’ve been left behind Hilary Francis?” Jenny adopted the tone and expression of the teacher she one day hoped to be. The incongruity of the situation caused Hilary to giggle, but it also had the result of making her lower her guard enough to admit that she had been barred from the excursions.
“Whatever for?” I’ve known people to get away with some pretty awful behaviour without suffering that particular penalty,” Jenny exclaimed with a blissful disregard for grammar, “And I can’t imagine you behaving that badly.”
“I just had a bit of a fight with Louise.” Hilary admitted.
“With Louise? About what?”
“The bathroom. We just sort of got carried away.”
“So is Lou still at school too? I hope you’ve made up, it will have been a pretty awkward situation if you haven’t.”
“Miss Annersley said that she couldn’t go on the excursion, but she’s not at school, she’s gone off with her parents.”
“Yes, I remember, she usually does. It seems a bit unfair that Miss Annersley should give you a punishment that only affects one of you.”
“Maybe, but if you were in my position, would you want to point that out?”
“No, I don’t think I would. Miss Annersley must have forgotten, she isn’t usually unjust. She can make you feel like a squashed beetle if she thinks you deserve it, but she usually makes everyone feel like a squashed beetle, not just one person.” Like all the girls who had been at the Chalet School prior to the earthquake, Jenny had the greatest of respect for the head. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t have something to say to Lou when she gets back.”
And as a matter of fact, Miss Annersley did indeed send for Louise on her return to school, where she pointed out to that maiden that her own behaviour had not only been far from honourable, but was positively dishonest. The idea of being thought dishonest was bad enough, but when the head went on to tell Louise that she was very disappointed with her, it was enough to almost bring Louise to the point of tears, and she vowed to never do such a thing again.
At this point Nurse Finning popped her head round the door to remind Hilary that she had only another five minutes before she had to leave.
“It’s worse than being at school, with all the silly rules they have here.” Jenny screwed up her face, “Though I was hardly in any condition to worry about that when I was first brought here. I know I told you all not to say anything, but I’m so glad that Cora blurted out what she did. I’ve never felt so ill in my life, and I hope I never feel that awful again.”
“But, wouldn’t you have gone to Matey, or Miss Annersley, and told them how you felt if it hadn’t been for what Cora was saying about what was wrong with you?”
“Cora? Oh, I didn’t really believe any of that, not really, though I did sometimes worry about it in the middle of the night, well I worried about it quite a lot really, but it wouldn’t have made any difference. I just hate doctors, I always have, since I had my tonsils out. Oh, I know that it was good for me in the long term, but my throat hurt much more afterwards than it ever did before, so I just wait until I get better by myself now. I didn’t even like going to Matey really, but she insisted that I went and had one of those doses of hers when she found out I wasn’t sleeping very well. To be honest, I sometimes thought that she was making me ill, I always felt better just after I’d taken it, but I felt awful every morning when I woke up. I hope she doesn‘t want me to keep taking it if, I mean when, I do come back to school.”
Hilary’s eyes widened as she recalled Matey’s abrupt departure after Jenny had been taken away in the ambulance, but before she could tell her friend that Matey had left, Nurse Finning had returned to hustle her out of the room, and there was only time for the two girls to make their farewells.
Jenny assumed a thoughtful expression after Hilary had gone, she did not possess the same insight as that young girl, but she was astute enough to realise that her friends jovial manner had been a little forced, and she had seemed to be a real urgency to her question about Jenny’s attitude to Cora. And the fight with Louise, that seemed very untypical of the calm and sensible Hilary she had come to know.

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

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:51 am

Thanks for that Ellie - hopefully Jennie herself will put an end to the rift between Hilary and her classmates!

Glad that Louise is not going to get away scot-free - always felt that to be most unfair and an indication that Hilda hadn't fully recovered - she has now!

#937: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 11:51 am

Yes, I hope Jennie can be sensible and make things better for Hilary.

#938: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 12:29 pm

Looking forward to lots more of this, and seeing some of the problems solved.

#939: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:09 pm

I hope Jenny manages to convince her parents to let her return to the school and that someone finally manages to help Hilary.

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

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:20 pm

Thank you Ellie!!!
*looking forward to the next bit!*

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

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 5:33 pm

Thank you Ellie, Jenny seems like a very sensible girl!!

#942: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 9:08 pm

I know this is very short, but for some reason I can hardly keep my eyes open at the moment - more later when I get my second wind.

Lesley thought, that since the staff canteen at the San was unlikely to be very busy at that time of day, she could stretch a point and treat Hilary to Kaffe und Kuchen before they set off on the journey back to school.
As she expected, the large dining room was virtually deserted, it was just unfortunate that the only other occupants were Doctor Maynard and his daughter, but if Lesley’s manager was perturbed by seeing her walk in with the schoolgirl he gave no sign of it, merely nodding in acknowledgement.
Jack had himself chosen to dine relatively early so as to avoid providing yet another source of speculation for his staff, ideally, he would not have chosen to eat in the canteen at all, but since he had no intention of expecting Con, lately released from the San’s care by Phil Graves, to take on the burden of running Freudesheim, or as he put it, acting as a guinea pig for Andrew’s benefit, it was the easiest solution.
He had been startled, the previous night, when Con, shortly followed by Andrew, had walked down the stairs, though less startled than his daughter and her fiance had been when they heard the front door slam and the sounds of the rest of the household returning home.

#943: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2004 9:23 pm

Well, that's got us all thinking, hasn't it Ellie?

#944: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:15 am

Thinking what Jennie?

She had left the San earlier that day, Phil seeing no reason, medical or otherwise, for keeping her there any longer, but although she had got through the withdrawal, the whole process, and the length of time she had spent in bed, had left her feeling far weaker than she cared to admit.
Although Andrew had no direct experience of her problem, he was a trained doctor, and it proved to be impossible to hide her enfeebled condition from his eyes, he had therefore over ridden her request to go out on an expedition in favour of taking her directly to her home, much to her secret relief. He had then proceeded to impress her
with his domestic skills as he had both prepared a light lunch for the two of them, and washed up the dishes afterwards.
“Every man ought to know how to look after himself,” he had replied to her comments, “In case the occasion arises, but I don’t intend to make a habit of it.”
“I should think not, it will my job to look after you soon,” Con smiled up at him, “You won’t have to do this after we’re married. You shouldn’t be doing it now. I’m sure I could have managed.”
“But since you’ve been in bed for more or less a week, you need to take things easy for a while. And I daresay there will be other occasions when I have to take care of you in future, it would be nothing short of a miracle if you didn’t have another day’s illness for the rest of your life.”
Con screwed up her face, “Well, I’m going to do my best to avoid it. It’s odd that Mamma and Daddy took Anna to Montreux with them though, especially if they’re just going for the day.”
“Maybe she had her own reasons for wanting to go,” Andrew shrugged. So far he had said nothing about Joey’s disappearance, but he had made up his mind that if explanations were not forthcoming from her parents in the very near future he would tell her the whole story himself, regardless of Jack’s instructions. Now that Joey had been found there was no worry that Con would make herself ill fretting about her missing parent and sibling.
“It’s odd though, that they should go at all when they knew that I would be coming home, still I suppose the Embury’s must have needed them urgently. At least I’m used to this sort of thing, living in a doctor’s household, which is just as well for you, my dear.”
“Oh, that’s why I chose you, rather than Anne, or Barbara, or Marian, or Jean, or……” Andrew was forcibly prevented from saying more as Con launched a cushion in his direction, with a surprisingly good aim.
“It’s a good job for you that I know you’re only teasing.” She said with mock severity, before continuing in a more thoughtful vein, “Daddy say‘s that being a doctor‘s wife can be a life of sacrifice. I think, occasionally that Mamma resents that, although she knew full well what it would mean before she married him. After all, she lived with Uncle Jem and Auntie Madge for long enough.”
Andrew reached over and placed his hand on her shoulders, looking directly into her eyes, “And you Con? You’re sure you won’t grow to resent it?”
“You’re worth any sacrifice,” she said firmly, and that was the last thing she said for a while as Andrew pulled her closer to him and held her in a long tender embrace.

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

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:19 am

That was lovely Ellie thank you Very Happy

Good to see a bit of Con again!!

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

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:38 am

Aaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!
Aren't they cute together!! Thank you Ellie!

#947: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:28 pm

Good to see Con well again. Smile

#948: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:05 pm

Andrew had been sitting in the chair by the window, reading through Con’s latest chapter, when they heard the sound of the door. She had been perched on the edge of the bed, in complete defiance of Matey’s strictures. She had been gazing at her husband to be anxiously, before she had been ill she had been happy with her writing, now she had returned to it she was less sure, and she trusted Andrew to tell her what he really thought of her efforts, not what he thought she wanted to hear. Her look changed to one of sheer panic as she heard her father’s voice. “I didn’t expect them back this early. What are we going to do?”
“There isn’t anything we can do, except go down stairs and introduce ourselves.”
“But, you know what they will be thinking, us being here together in my bedroom. They’re sure to jump to conclusions.”
“It doesn’t matter what they think, we know that we haven’t been doing anything improper.”
“Well. Not much anyway.” Con went slightly pink as she remembered the hugs and kisses which they had shared earlier, “But you know how Pappa feels about that sort of thing, or at least, if you don’t know, I think you’re about to find out.” She stood up and opened the door, pulling it back quickly as she heard the sound of footsteps coming up the stairs, but Joey passed by with her baby without even noticing that the door was slightly ajar.
“Damn.”
“Con!” Andrew assumed a mock shocked expression, though truth to tell, he was rather shocked to hear his bride to be utter such an expletive, mild as it was.
“Well, honestly, I wanted to get it over with. I don’t want to have to explain to each of them separately. Parents.”
“It might help if we do actually get my bed made up, as we intended in the first place, by that time your mother should be downstairs again.”
“I suppose it would. I don’t want her to catch us up here though.” Con pulled open the door again, nodding in satisfaction as she heard the sound of running water in the bathroom, “Come on, she won’t hear us now.”
As they crept along the corridor the sound of Hilda’s young voice, expressing her displeasure in no uncertain terms, greeted them.
“Someone isn’t very happy.” Andrew whispered.
“Neither of them are very happy,” Con corrected him as Joey’s voice correspondingly rose in volume, “Drat the child, why does she have to start playing up now?”
“She’s a child, that’s her job.” Andrew murmured in an attempt to lighten her mood.
Con glared at him as she pulled some sheets out of the linen cupboard, slightly annoyed by his failure to treat the situation with the full gravity required.
Ho looked at her complacently, aware that her parents owed her far more explanations than she owed them.

#949: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 1:38 pm

Interesting! Of course people did behave themselves better then! It was the done thing - nice girls 'did'nt do it'!!!!

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

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:03 pm

Bet they did really!!
They just didn't get caught!!!!! Twisted Evil

#951: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:17 pm

Vikki we're talking pre pill here!! It wasn't safe! And truly, well brought up girls didn't!!! I know!!!

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

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 2:21 pm

Okay Auntie Pat! I'll beleive you! Wink

#953: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 3:34 pm

Honestly, Vikki, pre-pill, nice girls just didn't.

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

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 4:07 pm

*grin*
I know, but I couldn't resist teasing!

#955: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 5:31 pm

Seconds Auntie Pat's post. I think we were kept good out of fear not moral standing!

Oops! reading the responses, I forgot to say that I really liked that exchange between Con and Andrew!

#956: Author: Lisa_T, Location: Belfast

Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2004 11:28 pm

*g at exchange between Vikki and the CBB Elders*

#957: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 9:57 am

Thanks Ellie love all the new (to me) bits. Nice to see Andrew and Con geytting on so well

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

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 5:23 pm

Any chance of some more soon Ellie???

Please Very Happy

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

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 7:26 pm

Thank you Ellie - lovely bit with Con and Andrew!

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

Posted: Wed Mar 31, 2004 11:25 pm

Ellie? Any more yet honey?

#961: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:51 am

More would be an exceedingly good idea.

#962: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 1:19 pm

It would, wouldn't it, Sarah.

#963: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 2:31 am

Jack’s surprise when Con walked into the room was such that Con couldn’t be blamed for believing that her parents had forgotten about her, but her father’s obvious delight in seeing her up and about once more was, almost, enough to soothe the hurt. Joey, hearing her daughters voice, also rushed out of her study and welcomed her effusively.
Con, for her part was taken aback by her mother’s appearance, “Your hair!” She shrieked.
“Yes, I do have hair, though rather less of it, and it suits me better I think.” Joey said complacently.
“But, I never thought you’d have your hair cut, and what’s happened to your face?”
“Oh, I fell over, nothing unusual there you might think, but never mind me, what about you?”
Andrew chose this moment to make his presence known, Joey in the midst of exclaiming over Con’s improved appearance scarcely noticed his entrance. Jack was not so absorbed, “What is the meaning of this?” He rose from his seat, a severe frown on his face.
“No meaning at all,” Andrew faced him calmly, “Beyond the fact that someone had to look after Con, and there was no-one else here to do so.” He would have said more, at that point, had it not been for the fact that Con, realising what was happening, wriggled free from her mother’s hug and ventured to add her own explanations.
“We just went upstairs to make up a b,” She stumbled over the word bed and quickly amended her sentence, feeling herself growing pink, “We went to sort out somewhere for Andrew to sleep. I’ve put him in Roger’s room, since it’s aired and he isn’t going to be needing it again, not for a while anyway. That is all right, isn’t it?”
“Of course it is,” Joey turned to smile warmly at her future son-in-law, grateful that at least on of her daughters was acting as she ought. “Have you got everything you need Andrew? Did you get towels, Con? No? Then I’ll go and find some for you.” She whirled out of the room in a manner which left the three remaining people feeling somewhat breathless.
They stood in silence for a moment, until Con, who out of all of them was less troubled by other thoughts, felt moved to ask after the Embury’s.
“Eh?” Jack was slightly taken off guard.“Oh, I thought that was why you went to Montreux.”
“Er, not exactly. Your mother went to see Winefred, on Friday morning, but, she, er, someone tried to rob her near the railway station and she was slightly injured in the struggle,”
“So that’s what happened to her face.” Con broke in, “And her hair, is that why it had to be cut?”
“No, she did that herself, or rather she went to a salon, but never mind that. She was found quickly, and taken to hospital, along with Hilda, who wasn’t injured, thankfully--”
“Auntie Hilda? What was she doing there?”
“Not Auntie Hilda. Your sister, neither of us want reminding of Gwyneth Lloyd,” Jack said softly, “And I’m sure you don’t either.”
“Why shouldn’t I? But what about Mamma? She is all right isn’t she?”
“She’s fine, Con, haven’t you just seen her with your own eyes? Except, she can’t remember the attack, which is probably a blessing, and she can’t remember anything at all that happened that day, but there is no long lasting harm. Anyway, as I said, she was taken to hospital, but having gone off on the spur of the moment, and expecting to be back the same night, she didn’t tell anyone where she had gone. We had a few anxious hours before the hospital tracked me down. When they did, Anna and I went straight to Montreux to see her, and bring her home, as soon as we were able. Which was this morning, after she was allowed to leave the hospital. But there’s no need to worry, Con. She will be all right. If she’s fit enough to travel she’s going to go back to England with your uncle Jem tomorrow, and stay with your Auntie Madge for a short while for a rest.”
“Yes, I should think you she needs it.” Con said soberly, “Poor Mamma, I must go to her.” She left the room and went up the stairs after her mother, though at a rather more measured pace.
Jack waited until he was sure that Con was out of earshot before he spoke again. “I’m not so sure that it wouldn’t be a bad idea if Con were to go with her.” He said to Andrew.
“Why?”
“The man who attacked Joey, as I said she remembers nothing, but I saw a picture, an artists impression from eye witness accounts. It was Reg Entwhistle. And I‘m worried that he might be intent on wreaking vengeance on my family.”

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

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 6:27 am

Ohhhhh, interesting - thanks Ellie!

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

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 12:00 pm

Thank you Ellie!!! Very Happy

Oohh errr, I hope that Con will be OK!!!!

*getting tense*

#966: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 10:36 pm

Andrew's a complete darling Ellie. That scene with him and Con was lovely.

Looking forward to the next part!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:16 am

Thank you Ellie!!
*chanting for more!*

#968: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 1:52 am

Con found Joey sitting on the edge of the bed, gazing into space. “Mamma, is something wrong.”
“No, silly,” Joey pulled herself together quickly, “I was just thinking.”
“About what happened in Montreux? Daddy just told me, oh, Mamma, what an awful thing to happen to you.”
“Yes, but since I can’t remember anything about it, there isn’t much point in discussing it. Now, sit down and tell me about you and Andrew, have you decided how many people you’re going to invite?”
“No, we haven’t really talked about it all. I do want to be married to Andrew, but I sometimes wish I could do away with the wedding, it just seems so daunting, all the organisation.”
Joey looked at her in surprise, but before she had the opportunity to comment, it was Con’s turn to change the subject, “Mamma, what’s all this business about changing Gwynie’s name in aid of? Why don’t you want reminding of Matey, and why shouldn’t I want to be reminded of her?”
“Goodness, child, has no-one explained to you yet?” Joey exclaimed.
“I’m not a child, mother, and I’m getting rather tired of being treated as though I were.”
Joey gave her daughter a long look, “No you’re not a child, Con, but in one way you’ll always be my little girl, even when you become a Mamma yourself, and when you do, you’ll understand what I mean, but to answer your question, it was Matey that made you ill. You remember the lotion she gave you to help you sleep?”
“Of course I do, but surely you don’t mean it was poisonous? Why would Matey want to hurt me?” Con looked at her, expressions of bewilderment, fear and horror, transforming her features.
“Of course she didn’t want to hurt you, it wasn’t poison Con, I think I’m going to have to examine your reading if that’s the kind of conclusion you jump to.” Seeing that her attempt to inject a bit of lightness into the conversation had failed, Joey continued her explanation, “It contained a powerful drug, one which your body became dependent on. It wasn’t taking the lotion that made you ill, it was when you stopped taking it. Your body---”
“So that’s what Eugen meant.” Con interspersed, “He said something about opiates, and I got upset, then he and daddy had an argument, I think. I sometimes have trouble working out what was real and what was in my mind. I just know that I don’t want to feel like that again.”
“Eugen’s dead.” The words hammered into Joey’s brain as surely as if they had been spoken, she almost wondered if she herself had said them out loud, but there was no reaction from Con.
“But I was only person to take it,” Con’s thoughts had veered off in another direction, “Matey dished it out to almost everyone, at one time or another, why, I’m sure you must have taken it yourself, so why was it only me that was affected?”
“As you say, I almost certainly have taken it at one time or another, but not for such a long period of time as you. But you most certainly were not the only person to be affected, Jeanne de Lachenais was the other member of staff to suffer, as did two or three of the girls.”
“Oh no, Mamma, that’s awful, which girls? Are they all right now?”
“There’s no reason why they shouldn’t be, after all, you’re over it now. As for which girls, one of them was your cousin Daphne, but apart from that, I couldn’t say. With one thing and another I haven’t had much to do with the school these last few days.”
“No, of course not.” Con stood up, “I’m sorry, Mamma, but I need to go and think all this through. At the moment, I rather think that I would prefer not to talk about it again. Except, she isn‘t still here is she? At the school?”
“No, Con, she is not. And she won’t be coming back.”

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

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 2:00 am

Poor Con!! what a shock for her!!

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

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 8:38 am

Thank you Ellie, feeling sorry for Con.Also Joey's memory is throwing her occasional snippets - wonder if she'll try to speak to Jack about Eugene.

#971: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:28 am

ooh, I hadn't realised that Con knew nothing about Matey. What a shock for the poor girl.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 11:42 am

Just caught up...thanks Ellie, what a shock for Con.

#973: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 12:05 pm

Goodness, Con has a lot of catching up to do, doesn't she. Poor Con. Her world will be turned upside down.

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

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 3:37 pm

Thank you Ellie

Poor Con she has walked into a different world, but at least people are beginning to treat her as an adult.

#975: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Sat Apr 03, 2004 4:51 pm

About time, too.

#976: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:01 pm

Two lovely long posts. Very Happy

#977: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:31 pm

Any chance of some more Ellie?

#978: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 6:40 pm

*echoes Nicci's request*

#979: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:51 pm

“Are you sure you’re not being a little overdramatic?” Andrew replied to Jack’s statement, “Yes, Entwhistle did attack Con in the hospital, but from what you say he certainly had no idea that she was a patient, so it certainly wasn’t premeditated, and as for Mrs Maynard, how would he know she was in Montreux, you didn’t even know where she was. Isn’t it just as likely that he saw an unexpected opportunity and took it? You say she was robbed, well, I doubt that he has a great deal of money at the moment, and I daresay he feels that you owe him something and this was one way of recovering the debt, or part of it.”
“I owe him nothing.” Jack snapped, “He will be paid up until the moment he stopped working, plus any other monies that are due to him, which is a damn sight more than he deserves.”
“That isn’t a lot of use to him at the moment though, is it? And as I said, he had no reason to expect Con’s mother to be in Montreux.”
“Unless she arranged to meet him.” If possible, Jack would have retracted his words as soon as he had spoken, but the thought which had been foremost in his mind since he had identified Joey’s attacker refused to be suppressed any longer.
“Why on earth would she do that?”
“Because she’s always had a soft spot for him, ever since he was a boy. Because she had no other reason to be in Montreux. If he asked her to meet him, she would go.”
“I thought you had friends in the town.”
“We do, but according to Oliver Knowles they went away at the beginning of the week, and they won’t be back until next weekend.”
“Maybe Mrs Maynard didn’t know that.”
“Would you travel all that way on the off chance that someone would be at home? Wouldn’t you check first? Anyway, I would still feel happier if Con was out of the way.”
“Personally, I doubt that he is still in the area, he must know that he’s a wanted man, he isn’t going to wait around to be caught, and frankly, there’s nothing to stop him from returning to England. That’s what I would do if I were him. And soft spot or not, I can’t imagine any woman wanting to meet up with the person who assaulted her daughter. I think that would pretty effectively kill any soft spots she might have had.”
“Joey doesn’t know about that. Only that Entwhistle attacked one of the patients, and she didn’t know that until yesterday.”
Andrew regarded his future father in law with amazement, “Do you always make a habit of keeping secrets from your women folk? Oh no doubt you have some old fashioned and misguided notion of chivalry, but that really doesn’t apply these days. I intend to tell Con everything you have told me and she can decide for herself what she wants to do. I’ll leave it to your own conscience to decide what you tell your own wife.”
Jack flushed angrily, but rather than a hot tempered eruption, his rage was expressed in icy cold low tones, “You are not married to Con yet.”
Andrew took two paces towards him, drawing himself up to his full height he responded in kind, “Maybe not, but I will marry Con, with or without your blessing, and there is nothing you can do to stop that.”
It was Jack who faltered first, as he wavered under the challenge emanating from the younger man’s eyes. “Very well, tell Con as much as you wish, as you say, she has the right to make her own decisions, but before you say too much, please remember that it was she who didn’t want her mother to know about the assault.”
Andrew returned to his seat showing no trace of the berves that had assailed him. Jack gave him a look of grudging respect before offering him a glass of whiskey, an offer which was declined. The older man gave a slight shrug before pouring himself a generous measure.
For his part, Andrew was beginning to regret his decision to join the staff of the San, at the time it had seemed to be an ideal scenario, there were more than enough climbing and skiing accidents each year to allow him to specialise in that area, although he had no doubt that he could have found a similar position in either an English hospital, or indeed in his native New Zealand, but the position at the San had the added advantage of allowing his bride to remain close to her family home, something which both she and her mother had seemed keen on. He had not taken into consideration the opportunity for conflict which could arise from working for his father in law, where personal disagreements could be carried over to work, or vice versa. There was no doubt that Jack Maynard could make the experience a deeply unpleasant one, if he chose to do so.

#980: Author: catherine, Location: York

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 8:54 pm

Thanks Ellie! More please!

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

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:03 pm

Thank you Ellie!!!!

*hoping it won't be a punch up between Jack and Andrew!!!!*

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

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 9:26 pm

Good for Andrew, glad he is willing to stand up for Con and show a more modern view on relationships!!!

#983: Author: Mandy, Location: Derry, N.Ireland

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:16 pm

Thanks for more of this Ellie. I'm really liking Con and Andrew in this.

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

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:22 pm

Thanks Ellie, it is interesting to see the interpley between the characters.

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

Posted: Sun Apr 04, 2004 10:28 pm

Good for Andrew - standing up to Jack like that - and for recognising that you don't have to keep your women wrapped in cotton wool!

#986: Author: Kathy_S, Location: midwestern US

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:23 am

Good for Andrew! (Lucky Con...)

#987: Author: Nicci, Location: UK

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:45 am

Vikki wrote:

Thank you Ellie!!!!

*hoping it won't be a punch up between Jack and Andrew!!!!*

*hoping it will!* Wink

#988: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:54 am

Ellie, that was great. I like the way Andrew treats Con, it would be great to see him take her away from her over-protective parents.

#989: Author: Susan, Location: Carlisle

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 1:59 pm

Thank you Ellie loads more to read. Poor Con - what has she unleashed by letting Jo know she doesn't like making arrangements for the wedding?

Yay to Andrew for standing up to Jack, poor Jack he is a bit old fashioned here isn't he?

More soon please.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 3:07 pm

*trots off to find Ellie and beg for more story please!!!*

#991: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:02 pm

Lure her with chocolate Vikki. You know that works with Ellie.

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

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 5:31 pm

Well, it works with MOST CBBers doesn't it?

#993: Author: PatMac, Location: Yorkshire England

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:02 pm

Good for Andrew. I wonder if he and Con will emigrate? Ah, well only time and Ellie will tell us that Wink

#994: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2004 8:14 pm

Ellie, there's some chocolate for you if you post some more drabble.

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

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 1:42 am

Try Baileys Jennie!

(Isn't that right Ellie? Wink

)

#996: Author: Pat, Location: Doncaster

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 10:07 am

I can see Con and Andrew doing the business in a Registry Office to avoid the family wedding organised by Jo.

#997: Author: Sarah_L, Location: Redcar

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 2:50 pm

I have this awful feeling that all this business could split Con and Andrew up. Please don't let that happen Ellie.

#998: Author: Ellie, Location: Lincolnshire

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 3:41 pm

Con went back to her own room and threw herself down on her bed, usually the last member of the family to be roused to anger, she was more angry than she could express in words. Her question, as to whether Matey was still at school, had not been asked out of fear of seeing the woman again, if the answer had been affirmative there was little doubt that she would have marched straight over to the school and attempted to tear Gwyneth Lloyd apart limb from limb.
Denied that outlet, she could only lie back and brood upon matters.

“Why on earth did no - one tell the poor girl what was wrong?” Joey thought to herself as her daughter walked away, “Though I suppose I’m as much to blame as anyone else as far as that goes. I just assumed that someone had told her, she didn’t ask me what was wrong with her. Anyway, she know now. So, Eugen and Jack had an argument, I don’t remember anything about that, but why do I keep thinking Eugen’s dead? Surely Jack didn’t? No, that’s ridiculous, we’ve been married well over twenty years, why on earth would I start thinking that. One things for sure, he isn’t going to stop me from going to England with Jem, I’ll find out from him what’s been going on.”
She idly ran her hands over the batch of towels, smiling secretly to herself as she recalled the happenings that had occurred the last time she had made up a room for an unexpected visitor, then she frowned as she recalled the ensuing argument she and Roger had had. “And he cleared off back to England without apologising, without saying goodbye even. But, didn’t something else happen, after that? Oh, am I ever going to get my memory back? If that doctor hadn’t explained what was happening to me I would think I was gong mad. It almost feels like I am anyway, and from the way Jack’s acting it’s me that’s done something terrible, though I’m sure I couldn’t have.”

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

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 3:48 pm

I wish Joey didn't know it would be more fun to see her mad!!!! Wink

Thank you Ellie, espically for the reminder of Roger, I hope we get to hear more about him soon Very Happy

#1000: Author: Jennie, Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted: Tue Apr 06, 2004 4:26 pm